When you think about the streets of South Philly in the original Rocky, one voice still sticks: “Screw you, creepo!” That line belonged to a tough kid named Little Marie, played by a young Jodi Letizia. But her story didn’t end on that stoop. Here’s everything hardcore fans need to know about Jodi Letizia — from her real-life Philly roots to a Hollywood lawsuit over her role in Rocky Balboa.
Philly Roots, Hollywood Dreams
Jodi Letizia grew up in the same city where Rocky ran those famous museum steps. She was born October 8, 1963, right in the heart of Philadelphia. Her dad, Joe Letizia, had ties to the franchise too. He showed up in both Rocky and Rocky II — first as a company rep, then as a car salesman. That connection helped get Jodi in front of the right people early on.
How Jodi Landed Little Marie
In 1976, Stallone was casting real locals to give his film an edge. Jodi Letizia was only 12 but had the streetwise attitude down cold. She landed the role of Little Marie, a rebellious neighborhood kid who brushes off Rocky’s advice to stay out of trouble. Her sharp one-liner — “Screw you, creepo!” — made her unforgettable. It’s still one of the most quoted lines from the entire franchise.
Rocky V: Her Scene Got Cut — But She Was There
Years later, Jodi Letizia was actually brought back for Rocky V. The idea was solid: show Marie as an adult, and bring Rocky’s old advice full circle. She filmed a longer scene where she’s out on the street, warming her hands over a burning barrel. In a tongue-in-cheek callback, she even throws out her old line again — “Yo Rock – screw you.” It was meant to echo her famous moment in the original film, but now with a sad twist.
It tied right back to what Rocky warned her about in Rocky: “Twenty years from now, you’re not gonna remember you. They’re gonna remember the rep.” In Rocky V, that prophecy hit hard. Marie had become just another face in the crowd — another person struggling in Philly’s backstreets. But the whole sequence was scrapped from the theatrical cut. Blink during the final street fight and you might still catch her in the background — but her comeback never made it to the spotlight.
Rocky Balboa Controversy: From Recast to Lawsuit
This is where the gloves came off. When Stallone started prepping Rocky Balboa around 2005, he’d allegedly promised Letizia she’d reprise her role as Marie. She accepted. She even cleared her schedule, canceling other work — including a one-woman show — to be available for filming. But she never got the call.
Instead, actress Geraldine Hughes was quietly cast. Letizia didn’t find out until she heard “through the grapevine” that another actress had been hired. Furious, she filed a lawsuit against Stallone and MGM for breach of contract. She claimed she was owed more than $50,000 in lost earnings for the role she had been promised — and accepted. Her legal team argued that the role was hers — and she was wrongfully replaced.
Eventually, the lawsuit was settled. Details are under wraps, but one thing’s clear: the whole situation left a bad taste. Fans were divided. Some felt Letizia should have returned. Others understood the shift in tone and casting direction. Still, it’s a wild chapter in the behind-the-scenes story of the Rocky franchise.
Life After Rocky
Jodi Letizia didn’t fade into obscurity. She kept working in TV and theater, including spots on Miami Vice. She’s also known for her stage work, especially comedic characters in Off-Broadway revues. According to her website, she specializes in “outrageous characters in musical comedy” — a perfect fit for her bold style. She stayed active in the arts, even when Hollywood politics tried to shove her aside.
Jodi Letizia’s Legacy as Little Marie
Jodi Letizia may not have made it into the final cut of every film, but her impact is permanent. Her version of Marie gave the series grit and authenticity. She brought that real Philly edge no one else could fake. Whether in a few scenes or fighting for her role in court, she proved she’s every bit as tough as the characters she played.
