Stallone’s most surprising cameo remains a mystery 40 years later
One of the most unexpected films in the directing career of Sylvester Stallone still carries an unresolved mystery decades after its release.
Stallone’s long and prolific career is full of hidden surprises. One of them is that not many people realize that one of the first films he directed has little in common with the sports epic that became the phenomenon Rocky.
Or perhaps it does, since it also centers on an underdog who overcomes every obstacle to become a star in his field. The film is Staying Alive, starring John Travolta.
Staying Alive is the sequel to the classic Saturday Night Fever, in which Travolta plays dancer Tony Manero. In the sequel, Manero has moved to Brooklyn to pursue his dream of becoming a professional dancer. Along the way, he must overcome rejection from rivals and his own insecurities while trying to keep his relationship with his girlfriend Jackie intact.
Who’s that guy on the street?
Stallone’s connection to the film goes beyond directing, producing, and writing it. His brother, Frank Stallone, co-composed the soundtrack alongside the hugely popular disco group Bee Gees. However, one of the biggest mysteries surrounding Staying Alive is a cameo by Sylvester Stallone himself in a scene filmed in Times Square.
In the scene, Manero briefly crosses paths with an anonymous pedestrian whose face looks very familiar. It is Stallone.
Since then, fans have speculated about the identity of this character, something Stallone has never clarified. Is he playing himself? Is he actually portraying Rocky Balboa, his most famous character? The secret has remained unsolved for decades.
Where to watch Staying Alive
Currently, the only way to watch Staying Alive is through rental or purchase options, including on Prime Video. By contrast, the original Saturday Night Fever is not available on that platform.
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