Stallone Calls Superhero Physiques 'Not Natural': Steroids Are 'Part of a Costume'

Sylvester Stallone says the bulked-up bodies of Hollywood action stars are not "natural," and he compared taking steroids for a role to "putting on part of a costume."

The Oscar winner made the remarks at New York's 92nd Street Y, in a 50-minute conversation with journalist Tracy Smith timed to today's publication of his memoir, "Steps." The book arrives 50 years after the release of "Rocky," the 1976 film he wrote and starred in.

"Guys … you really think these guys are natural?" Stallone quipped after the audience gasped at his frank description of his drug use. "If you're trying to play a sort of superhero or a person that is above and beyond a normal guy, you can't do it. It's almost like putting on part of a costume. For six to eight weeks, you manifest that book. And then you shed it."

Stallone told Smith he rationalized his steroid use as a way to push Rocky Balboa in a new creative direction for the third film in the franchise.

"By the time they did 'Rocky III,' you've lost the element of surprise. Everyone knows what this guy is all about," Stallone said. "I wanted him to develop serious narcissism. I wanted him to get his scars removed and be a totally different guy. That would be a story point. He became protected, he's shielded and vain. And when he finally met Mr. T, or Clubber Lang, that's where reality hit him. But to do that, I had to do a total body metamorphosis. So I went from like 50% body fat to 2.6%. I did it literally by eating tuna fish and [drinking] maybe 30 cups of coffee a day. And, of course, there's steroids."

The actor has already drawn headlines this press cycle for telling The New York Times he was "bululimic" during the filming of "Rocky III" — his actual word was "bulimic" — and for describing the "terrible toll" steroids took on his body. He acknowledged at the 92nd Street Y that he is hardly the first Hollywood action star to go to extreme lengths for a certain physique.

The reckoning came with his health. When Smith asked when he realized he could no longer continue using steroids and maintaining his arduous workout routine, Stallone recalled "a wake-up call" after having a heart valve replaced. His wife, Jennifer Flavin Stallone, insisted he get checked out after he appeared unwell — an examination he believes "absolutely" saved his life.

"And I thought I was okay. I was lucky that my wife said, 'I don't like the way you look.' [I said], 'Oh, come on. I'm just getting old over here. Relax,'" he recalled. "Women have an extra sense. They really do."

The event carried institutional weight beyond the star's memoir tour. It marked the first installment of "CBS Sunday Morning at 92NY," a new series of live conversations featuring prominent figures from the worlds of arts, politics and culture. The series extends "CBS Sunday Morning," the network's long-running Sunday morning news program.

"For over 150 years, the 92nd Street Y has been a world-class beacon for culture, deep conversation and intellectual curiosity," said 92NY CEO Seth Pinsky. "We are honored to work with 'CBS Sunday Morning' on this incredible new programming series. By bringing two great American institutions together, we are creating the kind of deeply engaging experiences our communities crave and expect."

The full conversation between Stallone and Smith begins streaming later this week on CBSSundayMorning.com, YouTube and Paramount+.