Henry Winkler Explains How “Rocky” Was Almost Turned into a Made-for-TV Movie

Henry Winkler, well-known for his iconic role as “The Fonz” in the television series *Happy Days*, recently shared insights about his early friendship with actor Sylvester Stallone and the making of the classic film *Rocky*. The film, which debuted in 1976, has since evolved into a multi-billion-dollar franchise, consisting of five sequels as well as three spin-off films under the *Creed* banner.

During an appearance on SiriusXM’s *Sway in the Morning*, the 80-year-old Winkler reflected on his connection to Stallone, who was then an aspiring actor struggling to make a name for himself in Hollywood. At the time, Stallone, now 79, had only appeared in a single noteworthy film, *The Lords of Flatbush*, released in 1974. His journey was fraught with challenges, including a financial crisis that forced him to sell his beloved dog, Butkus, due to lack of funds.

Winkler recounted an early anecdote from their friendship, stating, “He came to Hollywood, his car broke down on Sunset Boulevard, he called me up, I went to get he and his wife Sasha and their bull mastiff dog.” This moment marked the beginning of a supportive relationship between the two actors. Stallone gave Winkler a script he had written about an Italian-American boxer, seeking to get the project off the ground. At the time, Winkler was already a prominent figure in the television world and believed he could help bring the script to the screen.

Winkler took the script to ABC, where the network expressed interest but requested a rewrite by a different writer—an offer that Stallone rejected. This prompted Winkler to pull back his support, leading him to state, “I said, ‘ABC, I’m giving you back the money, I need that script back,’ and I gave it back to him, and it became *Rocky*.” His account highlights the key role he played in the film’s genesis, underscoring the potential that the project had originally as a made-for-television film.

Stallone’s account of the film’s journey, however, offers a differing perspective. In a 2017 interview, he described writing the *Rocky* script in just three days after witnessing a boxing match. He then pitched it to producers while auditioning for another role, which led to interest but also hesitance regarding Stallone’s casting. Producers considered more established actors such as Burt Reynolds and Ryan O’Neal for the lead role, ultimately making a financial offer for the script that excluded Stallone from playing Rocky.

Faced with the decision, Stallone was resolute about his wish to star as the lead. “I thought, ‘You know what? You’ve got this poverty thing down. You really don’t need much to live on,’” he recalled, indicating his deep commitment to the project. He ultimately negotiated a deal that allowed him to direct and star in the film, a manoeuvre that paid off immensely when *Rocky* went on to achieve phenomenal success.

Despite the film’s accolades, including 10 Oscar nominations with wins for Best Picture and Best Director, Stallone revealed a lingering frustration over his lack of ownership. In 2019, he spoke about feeling slighted by the industry’s business practices, stating, “I have zero ownership of *Rocky*. Every word, every syllable, every grammatical error was all my fault.” Stallone expressed discontentment over being told that his compensation was sufficient, despite *Rocky* being screened globally to significant acclaim.

Ultimately, Stallone did reap the financial rewards of the film’s triumph, reportedly earning $2.5 million from the first installment. The financial repercussions continued with the sequels and further films in the *Rocky* and *Creed* series, solidifying Stallone’s status as a Hollywood heavyweight. Yet, the emotional weight of his creative contributions and the complexities surrounding ownership remain tell-tale reminders of the film industry’s intricate and, at times, unforgiving nature.

As *Rocky* celebrates its legacy, both Stallone and Winkler reflect fondly on the serendipitous connections and pivotal decisions that transformed a simple script into a cultural phenomenon. Their stories illustrate not only the allure of Hollywood but also the friendships that often shape the paths of those within the industry. Even decades later, their experiences resonate, reminding audiences of the behind-the-scenes challenges that can accompany cinematic success.