Sylvester Stallone stars as Rocky Balboa, Talia Shire as Adrian Pennino, and Burt Young as Paulie Pennino in the 1976 boxing drama Rocky.
Main cast
- Rocky BalboaSylvester StalloneMain
- Adrian PenninoTalia ShireMain
- Paulie PenninoBurt YoungMain
- Apollo CreedCarl WeathersMain
- Mickey GoldmillBurgess MeredithMain
Supporting cast
- Tony GazzoJoe SpinellSupp
- Mary Anne CreedSylvia MealsSupp
- JergensThayer DavidSupp
- Mike (trainer at the gym)Frank Stallone (credited as Frank Stallone Sr.)Supp
Guest & voice
- Spider RicoPedro LovellGuest
- Dipper (fight announcer)Bill BaldwinGuest
- Cameo as loan shark’s customerJimmy Lennon Sr.Guest
- Marie (young woman on street)Jodi LetiziaGuest
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About this cast
Rocky (1976) is a classic sports drama starring Sylvester Stallone as the titular boxer. The film follows Rocky Balboa, a small-time fighter from Philadelphia who gets a once‑in‑a‑lifetime shot at the world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). The core cast also includes Talia Shire as the shy Adrian, Burt Young as her abrasive brother Paulie, and Burgess Meredith as the gruff…
FAQs
Who plays Rocky Balboa in Rocky 1?
Sylvester Stallone plays Rocky Balboa in Rocky (1976). Stallone also wrote the screenplay.
Is Rocky based on a true story?
No, but the script was inspired by a 1975 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner, in which the underdog Wepner lasted 15 rounds.
How many Oscars did Rocky win?
Rocky won three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director (John G. Avildsen), and Best Film Editing.
Who composed the music for Rocky?
The score was composed by Bill Conti, including the iconic theme ‘Gonna Fly Now’.
What was the budget of Rocky?
The film was made on a budget of about $1 million (equivalent to roughly $5 million today).
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026