Book excerpt: “The Steps” by Sylvester Stallone

September 25, 2026 / 5:04 PM EDT / CBS News

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Sylvester Stallone became one of the most successful actors of his generation, after playing an underdog boxer in the 1976 classic "Rocky." It proved a stunning commercial and artistic success, winning three Academy Awards, and thrust his career into the stratosphere.

In his new memoir, "The Steps" (to be published Sept. 29 by William Morrow), the actor writes of his early struggles, before creating the character of Rocky Balboa.

Read the excerpt below, in which he recounts the genesis of writing his screenplay for "Rocky"; and don't miss Tracy Smith's interview with Sylvester Stallone on "CBS Sunday Morning" September 27!

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It was winter and California was cooling off. Sasha was with child. I was broke. I was in desperate need of an original idea to write about, and I was still blank.

Thomas Paine said it perfectly in 1776: "These are the times that try men's souls."

I knew that I needed to find something special, but also something that most people could relate to.

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/