Sylvester Stallone has opened up about experiencing severe anxiety attacks throughout his life, revealing that his first episode happened when he was 36 and watching footage from one of his film projects.
In a candid interview with The New York Times, Stallone recalled suddenly feeling overwhelmed while sitting inside a dark theater. He said the episode came without warning and initially made him believe he was dying.
Stallone Describes His First Anxiety Attack
Stallone said he was watching daily footage when the frightening episode began. Recalling the experience, the actor said,
“The first time was when I was 36 and I was watching dailies, and then all of a sudden I stood up and the hair on my neck went up and I started getting hot.”
He then described collapsing and struggling to understand what was happening, saying,
“I’m dying, this is it, I’m on my way out.”
Stallone eventually found himself down on one knee before crawling and rolling over inside the theater.
The actor did not specifically describe the episodes as panic attacks, but said similar periods of overwhelming anxiety happened “again and again and again.” His comments highlight that the experience was not limited to a single incident during his younger years.
Stallone also explained that anxiety can still appear unexpectedly, particularly when he finds himself surrounded by large crowds.
Speaking about attending an art exhibition with his wife, he recalled watching the room become increasingly crowded before realizing he needed to leave. According to Stallone, his wife would recognize what was happening and help him get outside.
The Rocky and Rambo star said he could sometimes make it to an alley before the symptoms became overwhelming and he had to drop to one knee.
His latest comments offer a rare glimpse into a personal struggle that has remained largely private despite Stallone spending decades in the public eye.