Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere’s Long-Standing Feud: From The Lords of Flatbush to Royal Rumblings

Sylvester Stallone’s rise from homeless New Yorker to Hollywood legend epitomizes the American dream. His breakthrough came with Rocky in 1976, a film that earned three Academy Awards including Best Picture and cemented Stallone’s status as a cinematic icon. Over the years, Stallone starred alongside numerous big names—from Michael Caine and Pelé in Escape to Victory (1981) to Wesley Snipes and Sandra Bullock in Demolition Man (1993).

Yet, long before these high-profile collaborations, Stallone ignited a bitter feud with one unexpected star: Richard Gere.

The Beginning of a Feud on The Lords of Flatbush

The year was 1973. Both Stallone and Gere were cast in The Lords of Flatbush, a film capturing Brooklyn’s youth culture. During production, an incident occurred that would sour their relationship for decades. Stallone took a lunch break in the backseat of a car when Gere joined him carrying a half chicken. When some of the food accidentally dripped on Stallone’s thigh, the Rocky star lost his temper, reportedly elbowing Gere in the head and pushing him out of the vehicle.

Stallone later recounted the event: “The original part of Chico, which was played by Perry King, was originally supposed to be played by Richard Gere, but we never hit it off…I elbowed him in the side of the head and basically pushed him out of the car…The director had to make a choice: one of us had to go, one of us had to stay. Richard was given his walking papers and to this day seriously dislikes me.”

Bizarre Rumors and Continued Tension

Their animosity extended beyond the set. A strange rumor surfaced years later claiming Gere had been hospitalized after an incident involving a gerbil—an allegation the actor believed Stallone had a hand in spreading, though it remains unconfirmed and widely viewed as an odd Hollywood urban legend.

A Royal Rumble at Elton John’s Party

The feud resurfaced in a surprising context following the very public divorce of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. At an Elton John-hosted party, tensions flared over Gere’s rumored closeness to Diana, the “Queen of Hearts.” Opposing this, Stallone confronted Gere and the confrontation escalated into a physical scuffle outside the event. The host had to intervene, and Stallone reportedly left the party shortly afterward.

Different Paths, No Industry Crossroads

Thankfully, the two actors have largely avoided further public conflict, as their careers have followed very different trajectories and styles of cinema. While Stallone embraced action-packed franchises, Gere carved a niche in romantic dramas and socially conscious films.

Conclusion

What began as a petty on-set altercation evolved into a decades-long feud marked by colorful rumors and even a royal party fight. While Stallone and Gere have never reconciled publicly, their rivalry remains an