It’s remarkable that Charlie Chaplin, one of cinema’s greatest geniuses, became a fan of Rocky just before his death. This unexpected connection between the silent film legend and Sylvester Stallone is a fascinating piece of Hollywood history.
Sylvester Stallone’s Dream Meeting with Chaplin
Producer Jerry Epstein, who worked extensively with Chaplin in his later years, had a chance meeting with young Sylvester Stallone in Hollywood in 1976, immediately after the completion of Rocky. Stallone, a lifelong admirer of Chaplin, asked Epstein if he could arrange a meeting with the legendary filmmaker, expressing his willingness to fly overseas to Chaplin’s Swiss home in an instant.
In the meantime, Stallone rushed a 16mm print of Rocky to the Chaplins, eager to share his passion project with one of his idols.
Rocky: The Last Film Charlie Chaplin Ever Watched
The meeting was postponed due to Chaplin’s rapidly deteriorating health, and a still-excited Stallone wrote to Epstein, reminding him how much he would love “an audience with the great maestro himself.” Unfortunately, the meeting never took place.
Epstein later recalled:
“The print of Rocky arrived. Charlie, Oona [Chaplin’s wife], and the children saw it… Charlie loved the film. He had always been a fight fan. As he watched, he kept murmuring, ‘Excellent… excellent.’ Since Sylvester was such a fan of Charlie’s, I only wish he could have been there to witness his reaction.”
This means that Rocky was the last film Charlie Chaplin ever saw before his passing in December 1977.
Chaplin’s Love for Boxing in His Films
Chaplin’s fascination with boxing was evident in his work. In the 1931 film City Lights, he crafted a comedic boxing scene that remains one of the most iconic in cinema history. The Tramp, Chaplin’s beloved character, finds himself in a brilliantly choreographed fight that mixes humor with the raw energy of the sport.
This scene required 100 extras and took four days to rehearse and six to shoot, showcasing Chaplin’s meticulous dedication to authenticity in portraying the sport.
Moreover, Chaplin’s 1915 silent short film The Champion further demonstrates his engagement with boxing themes. In this classic, Chaplin’s character becomes a boxer, using his wit and unconventional training methods to gain the upper hand in the ring. His ability to blend physical comedy with the grit of boxing made these scenes unforgettable.
A Rare Hollywood Connection: Stallone and Chaplin’s Oscar Nominations
Beyond their shared appreciation for boxing, Stallone and Chaplin share a rare cinematic distinction—both were nominated for Academy Awards in the same two categories: Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay.
Chaplin received these nominations for The Great Dictator (1940), while Stallone earned them for Rocky (1976). This achievement highlights their brilliance not just as actors, but as storytellers who shaped cinema in their own eras.
Two Icons, One Love for Boxing
The fact that Chaplin, a filmmaker who immortalized boxing in his silent comedies, found Rocky to be “excellent” just before his death adds another layer of significance to the film’s legacy. It’s a poetic connection between two cinema legends—one who defined the silent era and another who helped shape modern sports dramas.
