Sylvester Stallone admits to bulimia and steroid use during career

Sylvester Stallone has disclosed a history of bulimia nervosa and anorexia-like behaviors that developed while preparing for his role in the 1982 film "Rambo." The 80-year-old actor told The New York Times that his desire to appear "animalistic" for the part turned into an obsession that led to purging. He stated that the condition reached a point where he became bulimic, describing it as a "really bad" period of obsessive body worship. During the filming of "Rocky III," Stallone said he reached a body fat percentage of 2.6%. The National Academy of Sports Medicine classifies body fat levels below 8% for men ages 20 to 69 as dangerously low. In addition to his struggles with weight and eating, Stallone admitted to using anabolic steroids during certain periods of his career. He described his approach as taking them for six weeks on and six weeks off, noting that the practice took a "terrible toll" on his health. Years of performing his own stunts, which he characterized as "very masochistic," have also contributed to physical deterioration, resulting in multiple surgeries on his back, shoulder, and neck. Stallone acknowledged that he has "abused his body" over the decades, yet he remains committed to maintaining physical fitness. Beyond physical health, the actor revealed that he has suffered from anxiety and panic attacks since the age of 36. He described a specific incident while watching footage from one of his films where he felt a sudden surge of heat and believed he was dying. These panic attacks recurred frequently, often before high-profile television appearances, and sometimes compelled him to leave crowded rooms as he aged. Brian Pollack, a licensed clinical social worker and certified eating disorders specialist in Summit, New Jersey, who has not treated Stallone, called the disclosure "incredibly admirable." Pollack suggested that the pressure to maintain a consistent public image and internal comfort may have fueled Stallone's rigid routines and intense performance expectations. He noted that the drive to enhance appearance to match a public persona is a long-standing phenomenon in the entertainment industry. Giulia Suro, a licensed clinical psychologist and certified eating disorder expert at Monte Nido in Washington, D.C., described Stallone's revelation as a "game-changer" in public perception. Suro emphasized that eating disorders are often misconstrued as primarily female illnesses, highlighting the significance of a high-profile male figure sharing his experience.