Sylvester Stallone Reveals He Was Attacked in Psychiatric Ward as a Teenager
Sylvester Stallone Recalls Disturbing Attack
Sylvester Stallone has opened up about a disturbing experience he says he endured as a teenager while staying at a psychiatric facility.
The 80-year-old actor recalled the incident while discussing his upcoming memoir, The Steps, and his difficult teenage years. Stallone said he was sent to a psychiatric ward after getting into trouble at Devereux Manor High School in Pennsylvania.
According to Stallone, he spent several weeks at the facility and encountered extremely troubled patients during his stay.
Stallone Claims Patient Attacked Him
Stallone said one of the most disturbing moments occurred when another patient attacked him in a bathroom.
According to his account, the patient, whom he identified by the nickname Jay Bird, approached him and grabbed him around the throat before reaching into his clothing.
Stallone claimed the patient grabbed his groin and attempted to seriously injure him.
The actor recalled that two guards eventually intervened. He said they attacked the patient with razor straps before stopping the assault.
Stallone later reflected on the incident as one of the experiences that shaped his determination to survive difficult situations.
‘You Can’t Break Me’
Stallone said the experience changed the way he viewed himself.
Instead of simply accepting the punishment, Stallone said he had taken away a different message from the experience.
He explained that he believed the ordeal taught him that he could withstand extreme pressure.
That attitude, he said, later became important when he moved to New York City in his 20s and pursued an acting career.
Stallone eventually became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable action stars through films including Rocky, Rambo and Creed.
Experience Included in New Memoir
In recent interviews promoting the book, Stallone has spoken openly about his childhood, education and experiences growing up.
Stallone has characterized his time there as deeply traumatic and said the experience exposed him to disturbing conditions.
People reported that Stallone previously described the facility’s punishment block as a place filled with teenagers experiencing serious behavioral and emotional problems.
Devereux Responds to Stallone’s Recollections
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, which operated the school, has acknowledged Stallone’s right to tell his story.
A representative told The New York Times that the organization was sorry for any trauma Stallone remembers experiencing but did not directly comment on the specific allegations.
The comments come decades after Stallone left the institution and began building his career in Hollywood.
Stallone Reflects on His Past
Despite the difficult memories, Stallone has said the experiences of his youth contributed to his determination and resilience.
He has often connected his personal struggles with the themes of endurance and survival that later became central to his most famous movie characters.
The actor’s latest revelations provide another look at the experiences he says shaped his personality before he became an international film star.
With The Steps set for release, Stallone is offering readers a more detailed account of the events and challenges that influenced his life and career.
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