Rocky Cast: Full Breakdown of the Fighters, Trainers & Misfits

Thunderlips

Hulk Hogan made a legendary appearance in Rocky III as Thunderlips, the larger-than-life wrestling champ who faced off against Rocky Balboa in a charity match. His over-the-top persona and powerhouse moves mirrored his real-life wrestling career, where he became one of the most iconic figures in WWE history. Read more about Hulk Hogan

Ivan Drago

Dolph Lundgren, cast as the Russian boxer Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, impressed producers with his physicality. Drago helped define Hollywood’s depiction of  the Cold War era, and Lundgren reprised his role in Creed II. Read more about Dolph Lundgren.

Ludmilla Drago

Brigitte Nielsen played Ludmilla Drago, wife of Ivan Drago in Rocky IV and reprised her role in Creed II. Her marriage to Sylvester Stallone added a real-life dynamic to their on-screen connection. Read more about Brigitte Nielsen.

Tommy “The Machine” Gunn

Tommy Morrison, a controversial figure with a tumultuous boxing career, played Tommy Gunn in Rocky V. Boasting a professional record of 48 wins and 3 losses, his real-life stats added authenticity to the film. Read more about Tommy Morrison.

Mason “The Line” Dixon

Antonio Tarver, a real-life champion boxer, stepped into Rocky Balboa as Mason “The Line” Dixon. With an impressive record of 31 wins and 6 losses, Tarver brought authenticity to the ring, making the film’s fight scene feel like the real deal. A dominant force in boxing, he held the WBC, WBA (Super), IBF, and The Ring magazine light heavyweight titles. Read more about Antonio Tarver.

Punchy the Dog

A real life rescue pup, Rusty was a trained dog actor who played Rocky’s new canine buddy in Rocky Balboa. He also attended the movie’s premiere. Read more about Rusty.

Adonis Creed

Michael B. Jordan, acclaimed for his role in the Creed movie franchise, received numerous awards, including NAACP Image Awards. His portrayal of Apollo Creed’s illegitimate son Adonis Creed brought a fresh dimension to the Rocky franchise. Read more about Michael B. Jordan.

Bianca Taylor

Bianca Taylor, played by Tessa Thompson in the Creed movies, is a talented singer-songwriter and Adonis Creed’s love interest and later wife. Thompson’s acting career includes roles in films like Thor: Ragnarok and Sorry to Bother You.

Mary Anne Creed

Phylicia Rashad portrayed Mary Anne Creed, Apollo Creed’s widow and Adonis Creed’s mother, in the Creed movies. Beyond Creed, she’s best known for her role as Clair Huxtable in The Cosby Show.

“Pretty” Ricky Conlan

Tony Bellew, a former professional boxer with a record of 30 wins and 3 losses, portrayed Ricky Conlan in Creed. Before acting, he had a successful boxing career in the cruiserweight division, winning multiple titles and earning respect in the sport.