Anthony Ippolito, a 26-year-old Italian–American actor, takes center stage as a young Sylvester Stallone in the forthcoming film I Play Rocky directed by Peter Farrelly. The movie revisits Stallone’s challenging early years before Rocky became a legendary cultural icon, highlighting Ippolito’s compelling resemblance to a youthful Stallone both in demeanor and spirit. This performance marks a significant addition to Anthony Ippolito acting roles, as it delves into the origins of one of Hollywood’s most inspiring stories.
An Underdog’s Journey to Hollywood Success
The story behind Rocky’s success is one of extraordinary determination and sacrifice. The film depicts how Stallone, despite a partially paralyzed face and a speech impediment, insisted on playing the lead role in the script he wrote, turning down a lucrative offer from a major studio to maintain creative control. This risky decision paid off when Rocky became the highest-grossing film of 1976, earning 10 Oscar nominations and winning Best Picture.
“A struggling actor with a partially paralyzed face and a speech impediment writes a script that a big movie studio wants to buy, but he refuses to sell it unless he gets to play the lead. Turning down life-changing money, he instead works for pennies to make the film his way — and it becomes the biggest hit of 1976, earning 10 Oscar nominations and winning Best Picture. In short: the ultimate dreamer’s tale behind one of cinema’s greatest dreamers.”
— Peter Farrelly, Director
Recognizing Ippolito’s Previous Roles and Origins
Fans quickly noticed Anthony Ippolito’s recurring role portraying young versions of iconic Italian actors in films that won Best Picture awards, noting his unique niche. One social media comment wittily remarked on this pattern as a remarkable coincidence in his career.
“If I had a nickel for every time Anthony Ippolito played a young version of a famous Italian actor from a Best Picture film, I’d have two nickels — which isn’t much, but it’s kind of iconic.”
— Social Media User
Indeed, Ippolito previously embodied a young Al Pacino in the Paramount+ miniseries The Offer, which focused on the making of The Godfather. Born on August 21, 1999, and raised in New York City and Long Island, he has built an acting portfolio starting from 2006. His credits include roles in Pixels, What Would You Do?, Deadbeat, The English Teacher, and Netflix’s Purple Hearts, where he portrayed the dedicated character Johnno.
Embodying Classic Hollywood Charm with Modern Appeal
Standing 5’10”, Ippolito combines classic Hollywood features with a genuine, timeless charm that resonates on screen. His minimalist yet visually compelling Instagram account shares artistic glimpses of his life and hints at his creative ambitions. Unlike many rising actors, he maintains a low profile while his presence exudes the potential of a future star.
@costicine
Comienzo del rodaje. #sylvesterstallone #rocky #rockybalboa #stallonefans #rockyfans
♬ original sound – Gerry Soundtracks
A Bold Path to Securing the Role
Anthony Ippolito’s path to landing the lead in I Play Rocky was unconventional. Instead of going through formal auditions, he took the initiative to record and send an unsolicited audition tape directly to the producers. This fearless approach embodies the very spirit of Rocky Balboa, demonstrating a determined belief in his talent and vision.
Honoring Stallone’s Legacy Through a New Lens
Rather than replacing Stallone, Ippolito’s role serves as a tribute to the perseverance and grit that defined the original Rocky story. As the film prepares for release under Amazon MGM’s banner, Ippolito’s portrayal promises to inspire audiences anew by capturing the unwavering hope and determination that made Rocky an emblem of resilience and dreams realized.
With his growing list of Anthony Ippolito acting roles, including powerful portrayals of celebrated Italian-American icons, Ippolito clearly possesses the dedication and authenticity to continue making significant contributions to Hollywood. His emergence signals the arrival of a talented actor ready to face challenges with humility and remarkable stamina, carrying forward the legacy of some of cinema’s most beloved figures.
Anthony Ippolito to Play Sylvester Stallone in Amazon MGM’s I Play Rocky
Anthony Ippolito, best known for portraying a young Al Pacino in Paramount+’s The Offer, has been cast as Sylvester Stallone in Amazon MGM’s upcoming feature I Play Rocky.
A Hollywood Underdog Story… pic.twitter.com/ltjL8LyLDo
— CineSummary (@cinesummary) September 17, 2025
I believe they cast the right actor for the film. pic.twitter.com/A1CwIG8sLH
— LuGhz (@RapperLuGhz) October 20, 2025
That uncanny resemblance pic.twitter.com/rTdhKU3LAE
— SUAREZ (@suayrez) October 20, 2025
Anthony Ippolito is set to portray Al Pacino in 'THE OFFER' for Paramount+ (via DEADLINE) pic.twitter.com/K5R2VlnvI0
— best of al pacino (@bestofpacino) July 22, 2021
i think the most insane thing about the offer is how much Anthony Ippolito looks like Al Pacino pic.twitter.com/0VfKvPu6Lc
— Sam 🍉 (@romansroyco) January 4, 2024
¡ES IGUAAAL! 💥 Primeras imágenes del Biopic de Sylvester Stallone, #IPlayRocky, interpretado por Anthony Ippolito. 🥊🎬 pic.twitter.com/81XSlkqQ73
— MovieFilms (@moviefilmsmx) October 19, 2025
