Sylvester Stallone says his famously competitive relationship with Arnold Schwarzenegger has evolved into a genuine friendship after decades of Hollywood rivalry.
Speaking during a PaleyFest NY panel for Tulsa King, Stallone compared his history with Schwarzenegger to the tense but respectful dynamic between his character Dwight Manfredi and Frank Grillo’s Bill Bevilaqua.
From box-office rivals to friends
Stallone said he and Schwarzenegger are now good friends and have mellowed over time. The two action stars were fierce professional competitors during the height of their careers, with their rivalry stretching back to the late 1970s.
Their competition became part of Hollywood lore as each tried to outdo the other with bigger action movies, physiques and box-office successes. Both men have since spoken openly about how intense the rivalry once became.
Stallone sees a parallel in Tulsa King
Stallone explained that the mutual respect between two adversarial personalities can push both people to raise their game. Tulsa King executive producer Terence Winter similarly highlighted the dramatic value of conflict between the show’s powerful characters.
The comments offer another sign of how one of Hollywood’s best-known rivalries has transformed into a lasting friendship.
Source: PEOPLE, October 12, 2026.