Sylvester Stallone Almost Died Filming Rocky IV: The Truth Behind Lundgren’s Explosive Punch

In one of the most memorable—and painful—moments of Rocky IV’s production, Dolph Lundgren landed a punch on Sylvester Stallone that sent the action star straight to the hospital. Decades later, both actors still recount the event as a pivotal moment in the making of the iconic 1985 boxing drama.

A Punch Felt Around the World
At the time, Lundgren was a newcomer to American audiences, making his debut as the towering Soviet boxer Ivan Drago. Stallone, already a household name as Rocky Balboa, was not only starring but also directing, producing, and writing the film. Determined to deliver the most realistic fight scenes possible, Stallone instructed Lundgren to go all-out and hit him for real—an instruction the younger, physically imposing Lundgren took to heart.

During the filming of their climactic fight scene, Lundgren delivered a powerful punch to Stallone’s chest. The impact was immediate, but the full consequences didn’t surface until later that evening. Stallone’s heart began to swell, and his blood pressure spiked to a dangerously high 260. He compared the blow to a head-on collision with a car, describing the experience as “being hit by a streetcar named Drago.”

A Health Crisis on Set
The injury was so severe that Stallone had to be airlifted from the Vancouver set to St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, where he spent four days in intensive care and several additional days in recovery. “They thought I was going to be talking to angels,” Stallone recalled, emphasizing the life-threatening nature of the incident. Despite the danger, the punch remained in the final cut of Rocky IV, appearing within the first 30 seconds of the fight sequence.

Lundgren’s Reaction and Reflections
Lundgren learned of Stallone’s hospitalization after the fact. Speaking to Fox News, he admitted, “I did hit him. And in those days, I was in pretty good shape.” While initially shocked by the severity of the injury, Lundgren later expressed relief that Stallone recovered, noting, “I’m glad he made it. Good for me.”

In subsequent interviews, Lundgren highlighted the physical demands of filming in the pre-CGI era. “In 1985, everything had to happen on screen, in-camera,” he explained. Both actors took numerous body blows over the course of their grueling 12-hour-a-day shoots, demonstrating their commitment to delivering authentic action.

A Friendship Forged Through Pain
Despite the incident, Stallone and Lundgren maintained a professional and friendly relationship, collaborating years later on The Expendables series. The on-set punch, while a painful memory, ultimately underscored the physical intensity and dedication both actors brought to their roles.

A Legacy of Realism and Grit
Rocky IV remains a cultural touchstone, not only for its Cold War-era drama but also for the extreme measures its cast and crew took to bring authenticity to the screen. The story of Lundgren’s punch and Stallone’s hospitalization is a testament to the grit that defined the making of the Rocky franchise. Even decades later, it’s a moment that continues to fascinate fans and serves as a reminder of the physical risks actors sometimes take in the pursuit of cinematic realism.