“I'm not the richest, smartest, or most talented. I succeed because I keep going.”
— Sylvester Stallone
From interviews during Rocky's release (1976-1977). Stallone repeatedly shared this philosophy when asked about his breakthrough success.
In 1976, I was so broke I had to sell my dog Butkus for $25. I sat on the curb and cried. A week later, I wrote Rocky in three days. When I sold the script, I bought my dog back for $15,000. Was I stupid? Maybe. But some things matter more than money. That dog believed in me when nobody else did. When you're at rock bottom, hold onto what keeps you human. That's what gets you through.