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When Sylvester Stallone became a Hollywood superstar, he struggled to afford even the basic necessities. In fact, his financial troubles became so serious that he had to sell his beloved dog, Butkus. However, the story took an unexpected turn when Stallone finally sold his Rocky screenplay.
Over the years, the actor shared the emotional story several times. But one detail has changed with every retelling. While he once claimed that he spent $3,000 to get Butkus back, he later increased the amount to a whopping $15,000.
With the release of I Play Rocky, the personal story of Sylvester Stallone and his dog has regained attention. Although the movie revisits the actor’s struggles before his breakthrough, Butkus’s real story is even more interesting because nobody seems to agree on how much he actually paid to get his dog back.
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Why Did Sylvester Stallone Sell His Dog For $40?
Before getting fame from Rocky, Sylvester Stallone had Butkus in his life. The dog was there with him during some of his toughest years. According to sources, Stallone’s financial situation became so bad that he could no longer afford to keep the dog. As a result, he sold the dog to a man outside a 7-Eleven for just $40 to afford food.
In a 2013 interview, he claimed he sold Butkus for $50 rather than $40. In a 2017 Instagram post, Stallone shared a picture of himself with the dog when the dog was a puppy in 1971. This suggests their bond began much earlier. But even after selling the dog, Stallone never forgot him.
When Sylvester Stallone finally sold his Rocky screenplay, he decided to bring Butkus home. According to Total Rocky, Stallone approached the family and begged them to return the dog. Even though the family was initially hesitant, they eventually agreed after multiple requests from Stallone.
Did Stallone Really Spend $15,000 To Get Butkus?
In 2013, Stallone claimed that he bought Butkus back for $3,000. But later, when he shared the story on Instagram, he quoted a much higher figure. This time, he shared that the dog’s owner took advantage of him and demanded a whopping $15,000. But he still bought his dog back.
But Stallone’s version differs from Total Rocky’s, which doesn’t mention any payment. On the other hand, the I Play Rocky director mentioned the figure as $4,000 to bring Butkus home. However, the director reduced the amount to $1,000 because he thought carrying $4,000 in cash would look unrealistic.
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As a result, the story now has multiple versions. While Stallone may have paid a significant amount to get Butkus back, there is no clear evidence to support the figure.
Must Read: Rocky: How Sylvester Stallone’s Film Struggled To Reach The Big Screen But Made 200x Its Budget
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