Before ‘Rocky,’ Stallone Was in One of the Greatest War Movies—But You’ll Never Guess His Role!

Before the world knew Sylvester Stallone as the legendary Rocky Balboa or the indomitable John Rambo, he was just another struggling actor fighting to break through in Hollywood. His rise to stardom is often painted as an overnight success story, but the reality was far more tumultuous. Stallone’s path was filled with years of hardship, dead-end roles, and an uncertain future.

In the early stages of his career, Stallone’s resume was largely unremarkable, including appearances in low-budget films and soft-core pornography. His breakthrough didn’t come until he wrote Rocky, a film that catapulted him to fame, but this triumph was years in the making. His experiences before Rocky were filled with personal and professional struggles, which included living in poverty and working odd jobs like cleaning the lions’ cages at the Central Park Zoo.

But one of the lesser-known chapters of Stallone’s pre-Rocky career came when he made an uncredited appearance in one of the greatest war movies ever made: MASH*. Directed by Robert Altman and released in 1970, MASH* became a huge success and cemented its place in cinematic history. The film, a dark comedy set during the Korean War, starred Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, and Tom Skerritt. It was a critical and commercial hit, earning the distinction of becoming the third highest-grossing film of 1970.

Stallone’s role in MASH* was as small as it gets—a “Soldier Sitting at Camp Table” for a mere second of screen time. It was a fleeting appearance in a film that would go on to define a generation. In fact, Stallone’s presence in the movie was so insignificant that director Robert Altman, upon hearing of it years later, dismissed any recollection of him ever being involved in the production. As MASH* star Elliott Gould recalled in a 2014 interview, Stallone himself avoided admitting his small part in the film, although he did concede to having been an extra.

Interestingly, Stallone’s character in MASH* was seen wearing a green beret, which would later resonate with his iconic role as John Rambo in the Rambo series. Rambo, also a Vietnam War veteran, was portrayed as a former green beret, linking the two roles across the actor’s career in a way that’s both ironic and somewhat poetic.

At the time of his appearance in MASH*, Stallone was struggling financially. A New York Times article from 1970 revealed that extras like Stallone earned a daily minimum of $29.15, which, considering his living situation, was likely a much-needed income. Stallone’s financial and career difficulties were compounded by the fact that he was living in such poverty that he resorted to sleeping at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York.

While MASH* would go on to become one of the most iconic films in cinema history, Stallone’s uncredited role has faded into obscurity, overshadowed by the towering success he would later achieve. Rocky changed everything, launching Stallone into superstardom, followed by the Rambo franchise, where he would embody a character who would become one of the most celebrated action heroes of all time.

Looking back, Stallone’s early years were defined by perseverance and determination. Despite facing rejection, a series of minor roles, and personal struggles, he eventually broke through the barriers that seemed to hold him back. And while MASH* is a legendary film in its own right, it’s also a reminder of the long road Stallone traveled before he became the household name that we know today.

In a way, MASH* was a footnote in Stallone’s career—a brief, uncredited moment in a film that was lightyears away from the Rocky franchise that would later define his legacy. But for Stallone, it was just one small piece of the puzzle that would lead to his ultimate success, as he became one of the most recognized and enduring stars in Hollywood history.