Meet Butkus, Rocky’s Four-Legged Co-Star
If you’ve seen Rocky and Rocky II, you know Butkus wasn’t just a background character—he was a big part of Rocky Balboa’s life on screen and Sylvester Stallone’s real-life best friend. His name even appears in the credits, listed as “Butkus Stallone.”
This 140-pound Bull Mastiff was more than just a movie dog. He was Stallone’s real-life companion long before fame and fortune. His journey from a scrappy puppy in a tiny New York apartment to one of the most recognizable dogs in movies is filled with great stories, funny moments, and a lot of heart.
Butkus: The Early Years
In 1969, a tiny Bull Mastiff puppy became part of the Stallone family.
“We got [Butkus] when he was about six weeks old,” Sylvester Stallone remembered. “He was a ferocious-looking little devil, and when he ate his security blanket, we decided to name him after Dick Butkus, possibly the fiercest football player in history.”
Dick Butkus, an NFL Hall of Famer known for his hard-hitting playing style, was the perfect namesake for the growing pup. Butkus quickly became a loyal companion, sticking by Stallone through tough years when the struggling actor could barely afford to eat.
What Was Butkus Like?
Bullmastiffs are known for being loyal, protective, and affectionate. Butkus fit the mold perfectly. Frank Stallone, Sly’s brother, once described him as “such a great dog.” Even decades later, both brothers still miss him.
In 2017, Sylvester Stallone shared a rare 1971 photo of Butkus as a puppy. He called it one of his favorite memories.
“We were both thin, hungry, and living in a flophouse above a subway stop. I used to say this apartment had ‘hot and cold running roaches’… Since I never went out, I relied on his companionship. And actually, it was his idea to write Rocky—but don’t tell anyone.”
Cross-Country Adventures with Butkus
Stallone and his first wife, Sasha Czack, packed up to move to Hollywood in search of success. Butkus, of course, came along for the ride.
The trip wasn’t exactly smooth—especially when they hit the sweltering desert heat.
Temperatures became unbearable. According to Stallone, they had to pack Butkus in cracked ice for two days just to keep him cool.
And then came the ostrich incident.
During the drive, the Stallones passed through a wildlife preserve, where Butkus apparently provoked the wrong bird.
“He practically got us killed. An exceptionally large ostrich decided to peck him to death and attacked the car,” Sly remembered. “Rather than being diplomatic, Butkus jumped out in a counterattack, and I practically got slaughtered trying to separate them. By the time I got him back in the car for a quick escape, the thing stalled, and a herd of unhappy buffalo descended on us. In the middle of all that confusion, Butkus jumped in the back seat and went to sleep.”
Butkus’ Funny Habits and TV Addiction
Butkus wasn’t just a big dog—he had a big personality. One of his most bizarre habits was his obsession with bottled water.
For reasons no one could quite figure out, he had an ongoing feud with water bottles, attacking them on sight.
His obsession got out of hand at one point. During one of his battles, he broke a bottle of spring water, causing damage to two apartments in the process. Stallone joked that it must have been the blue cap that set him off.
Beyond his bottled water battles, Butkus had a serious TV addiction. He loved sitting in front of the screen, completely absorbed in whatever was on. But his greatest talent might have been his acting skills—specifically, his ability to play dead.
“I pointed a finger at him and went ‘bang bang,’” Stallone recalled. “On cue, he did one of the best death scenes in history. One leg folded, then another. He finally slumped to the floor, did a little writhing, then rolled on his back and stuck out all four legs straight in the air. It was brilliant!”
With those kinds of skills, Butkus could have had a whole career in Hollywood. Instead, he stuck by Stallone’s side, just happy to be part of the action.
The Story of Selling—and Buying Back—Butkus
One of the most widely shared stories about Butkus is that Stallone had to sell him before making it big. Over time, this tale has taken on a life of its own.
Back then, Stallone was beyond broke, living in a run-down apartment and barely scraping by while trying to break into Hollywood. With no steady income and hardly enough money for food, he made a gut-wrenching decision—selling Butkus for $40 bucks outside a 7-Eleven.
Not long after, Rocky was in the works, and Stallone finally had some money in his pocket. He knew he had to get his dog back.
But the other family wasn’t exactly eager to let him go.
“The other family had owned him for six months,” Stallone said. “They weren’t exactly thrilled, but I said, ‘Please.’ I said, ‘This dog belongs in the movie.’ He had suffered along with me for two years. I said, ‘Please let him have a shot in the movie.'”
In this version of events, the new owners realized they had the upper hand and jacked up the price. Depending on when and where Stallone tells the story, that number has ranged from a couple of hundred bucks to a staggering $15,000.
“He was worth every penny,” Stallone later said.
This whole saga has become a viral part of Rocky history, spawning memes, YouTube shorts, and endless retellings. But not everyone buys it. In 2020, Frank Stallone shut the whole thing down, bluntly calling it “such a bullshit story.”
“My brother loved his dog Butkus,” Frank said. “He drove out to California with him—had him since a little puppy.”
So, was this an embellishment Stallone told for good interview copy, or did it really happen? Stallone still tells the story and even repeated it on Instagram in 2017.
“When things got even worse, I had to sell [Butkus] for $40 in front of a 7-Eleven store, because I couldn’t afford food, then like a modern-day miracle, the screenplay for Rocky sold, and I could buy him back, but the new owner knew I was desperate, and charged me $15,000. He was worth every penny.”
At the end of the day, Butkus made it into Rocky, and that’s what matters.
Butkus in Rocky: The Original Plan
Originally, Stallone’s Rocky script described a scruffy, flea-bitten mutt. But when the production team needed a cost-effective, natural dog actor, Butkus got the role.
His presence in the film wasn’t just for show. He played an important part in Rocky Balboa’s daily life and training.
One early script idea had Rocky carrying Butkus up the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps as part of his training montage. But when filming day came, reality hit.
“I started to run, and after about four steps, I realized I’m not going to be able to carry this dog,” Stallone said. “Unless he morphs into a chihuahua, I’m in big trouble.”
That shot didn’t make it into the movie, but Butkus still became Rocky’s training partner. In several key moments, he runs alongside him during those early-morning jogs through Philadelphia. He loyally trots by Rocky’s side as he prepares for the biggest fight of his life.
Composer Bill Conti even wrote a dedicated piece for Butkus on the Rocky soundtrack, simply titled “Butkus.” The upbeat, energetic theme captures the dog’s playful and loyal nature. The track adds warmth to Rocky’s world.
Rather than being tied to the film’s emotional moments, the music reflects Butkus’ lively spirit. Even in Rocky’s toughest times, he always had his best buddy by his side.
Though Stallone never got the chance to carry Butkus up the steps, the idea resurfaced years later. In Rocky Balboa (2006), Rocky finally completes the moment when he runs up the steps carrying his new rescue dog, Punchy—a much smaller, more manageable terrier who weighs about a hundred pounds less than Butkus.
Butkus in Rocky II
Butkus returned for Rocky II, playing an even bigger role in the Balboa’s home life. Mickey asks, “What’s dat – an outer space monster you brought?” “Nah, that’s Butkus, my large dog,” Rocky explains. Butkus had some memorable moments in the sequel:
- He wore a Philadelphia Eagles jersey, showing his Philly pride.
- He sported a studded leather collar, looking tougher than ever.
- He had a bathtime scene, where he listens to Rocky vent about life.
- He even goes for a ride in Rocky’s new Trans Am, enjoying the perks of his owner’s success.
Butkus also gets shooed off the bed on Rocky and Adrian’s wedding night, settling for his little blanket in the corner of their apartment. Later, after the Balboas move into their new home in Philly, Butkus enjoys lounging on the couch, watching TV with his buddy.
Although Rocky II was Butkus’ final film appearance, the dog remained part of the Rocky universe in spirit, and even got a digital revival in 2002. Butkus appears as a background detail in Ubisoft’s Rocky: The Game. Though he didn’t make it to later sequels, he had already cemented his place as Rocky’s most loyal sidekick—on and off the screen.
The Death of Butkus & How This Mighty Dog Lives On
Butkus’ time in the spotlight may have ended after Rocky II, but he remained a loyal companion in Stallone’s life. Sadly, Butkus passed away around 1979-1980, seemingly due to heart-related issues. However, due to poor breeding, some Bullmastiffs may develop heart disease, eye issues, elbow dysplasia, or hip dysplasia.
Rocky expert Mike Kunda heard the story of Butkus’ final days straight from Stallone and discusses it in The Rocky Files Podcast, Episode 112.
Stallone recalled first noticing trouble during a walk when Butkus got overly worked up by a couple of Rottweilers barking behind a fence—so much so that he collapsed. Concerned, he adjusted the dog’s diet and helped him lose weight. However, while Sly was away on film shoots for a few months, he returned home to the heartbreaking news that Butkus had passed—and to his shock, his housekeeper had never informed him.
👉 Be sure to follow Mike Kunda’s The Rocky Files Podcast—created by fans, for fans—featuring inspiring stories from the Rocky and Stallone universe!
Even decades later, Stallone never forgot his four-legged best friend. Over the years, he has shared memories of their time together in interviews and on social media, often posting old photos of Butkus during their early struggles. In 2015, he even admitted, “He’s still my desktop wallpaper.”
Butkus made headlines again in 2022—this time in a way no one saw coming. Stallone, who had long sported a tattoo of his wife Jennifer Flavin on his right arm, decided to get it refreshed. According to his publicist, “Mr. Stallone intended to refresh the tattoo image of his wife Jennifer; however, the results were unsatisfactory and, unfortunately, unfixable.”
So what did he do? Covered her face with a portrait of Butkus.
Not long after, news broke that Flavin had filed for divorce, and speculation ran wild. The tattoo swap became a viral topic, adding fuel to the story. Fortunately, the couple reconciled, putting the divorce behind them and moving forward as a family. In 2023, the Stallones debuted their own reality TV series, The Family Stallone, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at their lives.
Through all the ups and downs, Butkus remains an important part of Stallone’s story—a reminder of where he started and the loyal companion who was by his side through it all.
