Sylvester Stallone’s Best Friend
Sylvester Stallone and his dog, Butkus
We all know that Stallone had a tough life before his big break as an actor and scriptwriter for the movie Rocky… but when asked about his lowest point, it was when he was forced to sell his dog. With just $100 in the bank, a pregnant wife, and no job, he had no choice but to part with his best friend, Butkus. He was sold for USD50.
A few days later, after many exchanges with potential movie producers, Stallone finally accepted a deal he was happy with and was paid USD35,000 for the Rocky script. With some money at hand, he rushed to Butkus’s new owner who haggled for a new selling price of USD3000!
Some people may feel that $3,000 is not a big deal for someone like Stallone… but do realize that at that time, Stallone was a poor man, and $3,000 was a lot of money for him… however, if that was what it took… he paid up to bring his best friend home.
I was really touched after reading about Stallone and his dog… I have read so many sad news of people abandoning their dogs… and I have seen so many people forget what’s important after gaining some success. It’s nice to see how someone truly cares and treats their dogs as family, as someone who matters. I thought I’d share this heartfelt story with everyone.
Tsem Rinpoche
An interview with Stallone by shortlist.com where he shared about the hard times before his big hit with Rocky
Is it true that, before Rocky, you were so broke that you sold your dog?
Yeah, I sold my bullmastiff Butkus to a little person. [Turns to his publicist] You can’t use the word ‘dwarf’ any more? Let’s just say a little person. I tied my dog up at the store with a sign that said a hundred bucks. I got $50 from this guy called Little Jimmy.
This is the same dog that appeared in Rocky, right?
Yeah. When I sold the Rocky script, I went to see Little Jimmy and begged for the dog back. He lined up his children [Stallone mimes crying], “Oh my kids love the dog.” I said, “You’ve only had him for a f*ckin’ week!” He wanted to fight me and he said he was gonna kill me – he was a crazy little person! I couldn’t fight him – they’d arrest me – so I offered to pay double. Anyway, $3,000 and several threats later…
What happened to Little Jimmy?
I ended up putting him in the movie. Do you remember in Rocky, when the little guy goes, “Hey, did ya win?” and I go, “What are you, deaf?” and he goes “No, I’m short.” That’s him.
– http://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/films/sylvester-stallone
Scenes of Stallone and Butkus
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/stallone-butkus.mp4
Stallone’s dog, Butkus starred in his first movie, Rocky.
Nice picture…
Sylvester Stallone and his best friend, Butkus.
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Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article of Sylvester Stallone and his dog. It is indeed a very touching story. Sometimes I really don’t understand some people, one minute they can love the pet with all their heart but another minute the torture the pet to death. In my opinion, it’s either they don’t have a pet in the first place or open for adoption if they cannot handle pet anymore.
With folded palms,
Vivian
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article. Awwww……. This is so touching…. Especially after watching the video clip. He really love Butkus. I can imagine how heart broken he was when he had to sell Butkus to the little guy. Not only that, I can even imagine how sad he was when Butkus died. (I think Butkus should have died by now). Dogs are men’s best friend, I’ve read an article about a couple who release their dog to a far place, due to the environment (landlord) didn’t allow them to keep animal in their apartment. After a few attempts, the dog still came back to them, and the last attempt, the dog killed himself in front of their eyes. It was really sad to read things like that happened. Dogs recognize their owner, and they are so loyal to them. I am sure how much Sylvester loved Butkus, and Butkus would for sure love Sylvester as much as he loved him. And, I can imagine how deep Rinpoche loves Mumu, Dharma and Oser 🙂
Sylvester Stallone really has a kind heart for all his tough exterior! He truly loves his mastiff, Butkus. He must have been really heart-broken when he had to part with his dog, having to sell him because he was so down and out then. Then later he had to pay a handsome price to buy him back. That again shows how much he treasured Butkus. Yet for all that,he did not bear any grudge against the person who sold him back his dog at such a high price. He even gave him a part to star in his first movie “Rocky”! Seeing Sylvester with his mastiff and the love they have for each other is truly touching. Success did not go to Sylvester’s head. He still thought of Butkus and made sure he got him back. This such a lovely story of a tough-looking guy with a soft heart!
Delighted to know that Stallone really values the companionship and friendship with his dog. A very rare quality in this day and age.
Wow…so special bond Sylvester Stallone and his dog.Wonderful he got dog back after paying so much money .This show he needed it so badly as a friend then any other one. Dog is indeed man’s best friend.They are one of us ,once a friend is always a friend. A good reminder for us . Thanks Rinpoche for sharing .
This is just another example of the bond that can be made between animals and us humans. Having and pet is not just taking in an animal, it is getting a friend, partner, loyal companion and another member of your family, a relationship between an owner and a pet is very special. I am very happy to hear that Sylvester Stallone got his best friend back.
Very heart warming articles. Dog is indeed man’s best friend. Dog is also a living being and should be treated with love and respect. Look at the strong bond between a man and a dog. So glad that Sylvester managed to get back his dog. They were great team in the movie.
There’s a Chinese saying: “Some people you can only braving storms together but not joys or good times”. Real friends share weal and woe…I am not Sylvester Stallone’s fan, but this story of him getting his dog back is touching and I come to like him a bit more 🙂 Thanks Rinpoche for sharing.
Whenever the name Sylvester Stallone is mention it strike me to think of him as a very tough and strong person. But deep down he is very kind especially his love for his dog. He really treat his dog as part of his family. To sell him when he had no choice must be the hardest decision he ever made.
When he got a job offer the first thing he did was to buy back his dog but the new owner took advantage and demanded 3000 dollars.
It’s a lot of money but the dog is worth more than that and it’s great that both of them are finally united.
He didn’t had hard feelings for the little guy but still offer him a part in his movie.
That’s why we can never judge a book by its cover.
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing.
Jill Yam
Very nice to read about how mankind can actually be loyal and loving in treating their furry best friend. We have too many stories about brutal and violence treatment on animals by human, hence this story is very refreshing. I can only imagine the anxiety and the worry-some feeling experience by Sylvester Stallone and Butkus during those moments of separation. And the adrenaline rush when Stallone gotten his paycheck and wanting to “claim” Butkus back. Given this strong feeling he had for Butkus, I would say the price tag is secondary. I admire Stallone for his loyalty and conviction in his friendship with Butkus.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this uplifting story with us.
It is really amazing to see that Sylvester was willing to pay an extra two thousand nine hundred and fifty dollars extra to get his beloved dog back. For most people they won’t be willing to fork out that much money, but yet Sylvester bought back his beloved dog. What’s more he didn’t even have much money then, the cost to get back his beloved dog took away around one tenth of the 35,000 dollars which he got from a deal.
This is a really inspiring story which shows that compassion can overcome anything.
Thank You Rinpoche for sharing this beautiful post.
Sylvester Stallone may have a tough exterior but from his actions, it shows him to be very kind and loyal. When he said the lowest point of his life is selling his dog, it shows how much he valued his companion whilst most would put more stock in selling of their beloved material possession. What more, he went on to pay USD3000 (60 times over what he got from the initial sale) to reunite with his good friend. Sylvester is from the old school where words are meant more and loyalty is truly valued. May more people be inspired by his example of respect and love for his companion.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this lovely article of caring and loyalty by Sylvester Stallone towards his dog, Butkus.
I agree with Rinpoche that it is quite rare people are willing to treat their pets as part of their family. From where I grow up, I see many people treat pets as just pets, and don’t treat them as family. I have heard quite a few cases, when they move their house, they seldom think about their pet, and will have to give the pets away when they move their house, for example, their new condo won’t allow them to rare pets and therefore they have to give them away. I think this kind of attitude has to change, because once we have a pet, the pet treats us a family, and how can we not treat the pet as part of our family?
This is a truly inspiring story of kindness towards animals. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.