Sylvester Stallone has shared new details about the Sylvester Stallone near-fatal stunts that nearly ended his life during filming. In a recent video interview with GQ, Stallone recounted moments from his decades-long career, focusing especially on two incidents from the 1993 film Demolition Man that brought him close to tragedy on set.
Filming Dangerous Scenes in Demolition Man
During his portrayal of John Spartan in Demolition Man, Stallone found himself involved in perilous sequences against Wesley Snipes’ character, Simon Phoenix. Reflecting on the intensity and unpredictability of practical effects used in the movie, Stallone revealed that certain stunts placed him at significant risk.
“It was the two most dangerous stunts I’ve ever done,”
said Stallone, emphasizing how the practical sets led to genuine danger.
Mechanical Claw Incident Endangers Stallone
One particular scene called for Stallone’s character to be trapped in a giant mechanical claw. The setting, relying on real machinery, left little room for error. Stallone highlighted the dangers by pointing to the unpredictable nature of the heavy metal apparatus.
“It was what we call a practical set,”
explained Stallone as he described the set-up.
“Those things really worked. The hydraulics would go sideways, and the strength of those metal claws would tear you up.”
He relied on quick reflexes and some luck to avoid lasting harm, knowing that any mechanical failure could cause severe injury.
Being Sealed Inside a Tank Raised Life-Threatening Stakes
Another alarming stunt involved a round plexiglass chamber designed to simulate cryogenic freezing. According to Stallone, the tank’s solid construction made escape nearly impossible if something went wrong.
Image of: Sylvester Stallone
“You couldn’t break it with a sledgehammer.”
He described feeling vulnerable as warm oil was pumped in to re-create the effect of being frozen, recognizing the potential for disaster.
“There was danger of drowning if the amount reached past my nose,”
Stallone admitted.
“And you can’t get out because the lid was bolted on.”
He recounted asking crew members to test the tank after filming, only to find it incredibly strong:
“They hit it 20 times and couldn’t crack it,”
illustrating just how risky the scene truly was.
Past Brushes with Danger on Other Sets
Stallone acknowledged that the perils of Demolition Man were not isolated events in his action-packed career. He looked back on a particularly dangerous moment in Rocky IV during a fight with Dolph Lundgren.
“He hit me so hard he almost stopped my heart,”
Stallone recalled from a prior interview, also stating,
“Next thing I know, I’m on a low-altitude plane to the emergency room, and I’m in intensive care for four days.”
Experiences like these demonstrate the real risks Stallone faced throughout filming iconic roles.
Continuing His Legacy Beyond Near-Fatal Experiences
Despite facing life-threatening situations—including mechanical mishaps and the threat of drowning—Stallone continues to work in high-intensity roles. He currently stars in the crime drama Tulsa King, now in its third season, and there is growing anticipation for the upcoming biopic I Play Rocky, which revisits the creation of the original Rocky film.
Stallone’s willingness to perform many of his own stunts has both shaped his reputation and brought him face-to-face with danger on set. His stories reveal the hidden risks behind iconic action moments and underscore the loyalty and teamwork that keep actors safe on productions where mechanical hazards and split-second timing can make all the difference. As he continues his career, Stallone’s brush with death remains a reminder of the high price sometimes paid in pursuit of cinematic realism.
