Anthony Ippolito on Becoming Sylvester Stallone in ‘I Play Rocky’ and Acting With a Dog: ‘He Wasn’t a Huge Fan of Me’

Anthony Ippolito faced a double challenge in “I Play Rocky”: mastering Sylvester Stallone’s iconic voice and transforming his slender frame into a muscular physique. At the AFI Fest screening, Ippolito admitted, “It had its moments for sure. I was being tested.” The film explores Stallone’s underdog journey to make “Rocky,” with Ippolito capturing the actor’s mannerisms and physicality. But one co-star proved difficult—a dog on set. “He wasn’t a huge fan of me,” Ippolito said, adding an unexpected layer to the role. The biopic highlights Stallone’s perseverance, and Ippolito’s dedication mirrors that grit, from grueling workouts to voice coaching. His performance aims to show the man behind the legend. For fans of “Rocky” and underdog stories, “I Play Rocky” offers a fresh look at how a struggling actor became a Hollywood icon.