Sylvester Stallone made a big return to his famous roles in Rocky Balboa (2006) and Rambo (2008), then kicked off the action-packed Expendables series in 2010 as the tough mercenary Barney Ross.

In 2013, he starred in the hit Escape Plan and its sequels. But in 2015, he truly won hearts again with Creed, playing a retired Rocky who mentors Apollo Creed’s son. The role earned him major praise, his first Golden Globe, and another Oscar nomination—40 years after his first.

Born in NYC’s Hell’s Kitchen in 1946, Stallone had a rough start. A birth complication left part of his face paralyzed, giving him the slurred speech and look we all recognize.

He was bullied growing up, but found strength in bodybuilding and acting. After spending time in foster care, he moved between his divorced parents, eventually settling with his mother in Philly at 15. From tough beginnings to Hollywood legend—Stallone’s story is pure inspiration.