1976 • Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith
Screenplay by Sylvester Stallone
At the time of the film's production, Sylvester Stallone was living the true underdog story. Down to his last dollar, he sold his screenplay, and made it a condition that he star in the film. The studio took a chance, paid him scale, and the rest is history.