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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 26: Actor Sylvester Stallone and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger attend the WBC World Championship Heavyweight fight between Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine and Chris Arreloa at the Staples Center on September 26, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 26: Actor Sylvester Stallone and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger attend the WBC World Championship Heavyweight fight between Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine and Chris Arreloa at the Staples Center on September 26, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone were the leading action stars of the 80s. The two rivals also regularly tried to one-up the other in every conceivable metric. While most actors compete for box-office glory, Arnold and Stallone took it to another level. On one occasion, the pair compared whose character had killed more people on screen.
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However, after more than a decade of rivalry, both actors realized they could work together without working against each other. Recently, Stallone revealed his feelings about his old rival turned close friend.
The Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone bromance
Hollywood Reporter’s James Hibberd sat down with the ‘Rocky’ actor. During the later part of the interview, Hibberd asked, “Speaking of Arnold, you have been friends for a long time. When you meet up, what do you talk about?”. The Hollywood icon spoke highly of his friend and said, “Arnold’s very wise and he loves to talk about philosophies which have got him to where he is.”

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HOLLYWOOD – DECEMBER 13: California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor Sylvester Stallone and actor Bruce Willis arrive at the premiere of MGM’s “Rocky Balboa” at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater on December 13, 2006 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Stallone praised Arnold further. “It’s good to talk to a man who actually has put his money where his mouth is, and he’s achieved that,” said Sly. However, he also said that the pair don’t always talk about serious things. The ‘Rambo’ actor said he and Arnold often goof around, laughing about the days when they couldn’t stand each other.
Stallone told Arnold they should enjoy the other’s company and root for one another. The action icon said, “We are the last two tyrannosaurus.” He also told Arnold they were the last “meat eaters” of Hollywood. Stallone may have also referenced the lack of rivalries today and said, “there’s not much beef left out there.”
After ending their rivalry, Stallone and Schwarzenegger became good friends and starred together in a film. The pair successfully collaborated for 2013’s Escape Plan.
The seven-time Mr. Olympia once tricked Stallone
An old rumor persists that Arnie had once tricked Sly into starring in a movie he knew would flop. James revealed Arnie confirmed the rumor when Hollywood Reporter contacted him. “In those days we did all kinds of crazy things to get ahead in our rivalry.” said the ‘Governator’.
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Arnold had shown an interest in doing the film Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot to lure Sly. When Stallone also showed interest, Arnie didn’t contest. Even Stallone’s fans didn’t get behind the film, and he won the worst actor Golden Raspberry Award.
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Watch this story – “Bible of Bodybuilding” – 7x Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger Once Explained the Book the Got Him Into Bodybuilding
Sly and Arnie have had incredible journeys. They turned their iconic rivalry into an iconic friendship and now encourage each other. As the ‘Terminator’ actor said, “Thank God, because we sure don’t ever need another Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.”
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