From ‘The Offer’ To ‘I Play Rocky’: The Real Roles Of Anthony Ippolito

Playing Rocky Balboa is no small task. After all, Sylvester Stallone's portrayal of the Philadelphia boxer remains one of the most iconic performances in Hollywood history. But with “I Play Rocky” bringing the fascinating story behind the making of the 1976 classic to the big screen, another name is suddenly grabbing everyone's attention: Anthony Ippolito.

The young actor takes on the role of Stallone himself, tracing the struggles, setbacks and sheer determination that went into making “Rocky”. And if you're wondering where you've seen Ippolito before, there's a good chance you already know some of his work.

So, who exactly is Anthony Ippolito? Let's get acquainted.

Who is Anthony Ippolito and where is he from?

Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Ippolito has been around the acting business since he was a child. He made his screen debut in the 2006 film “Bella”, appearing in a small role as a boy on a subway. However, acting wasn't the only thing occupying his time growing up.

Ippolito was also passionate about baseball and even played the sport at Baruch College. An injury eventually brought that chapter to an end, pushing him to focus more seriously on acting. Little did he know that his next big break would involve stepping into the shoes of one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

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Where have you seen him before?

If there is one performance that put Ippolito on the radar of a wider audience, it was his portrayal of a young Al Pacino in the 2022 Paramount+ series “The Offer”. The show explored the chaotic behind-the-scenes journey of making “The Godfather”, with Ippolito playing the actor during the early years of his career.

Interestingly, “I Play Rocky” marks the second time he has portrayed a legendary Hollywood actor. Before “The Offer”, he appeared in the Netflix coming-of-age drama “Grand Army” (2020), playing George Wright.

His other credits include the 2015 sci-fi comedy “Pixels”, where he played a younger version of Adam Sandler's character, and the Netflix romantic drama “Purple Hearts” (2022), in which he played Johnno. While these projects gave audiences glimpses of his abilities, “I Play Rocky” is easily his biggest opportunity yet.

How did he land the role of Sylvester Stallone?

Here's where things get interesting. Ippolito wasn't simply waiting for a casting call to come his way. After learning about the project, he decided to take matters into his own hands and recorded an audition tape in his grandmother's basement.

He didn't even have the complete script at the time. Instead, he relied on his understanding of Stallone and the physicality of the character, even setting up a punching bag to get into the boxing mindset.

The gamble paid off. Director Peter Farrelly eventually saw his audition and was convinced he had found his Stallone.

Getting the part was only the beginning. Ippolito spent approximately 18 months preparing for the role, gaining around 40 pounds, training in boxing and working on Stallone's distinctive voice and mannerisms. He also got the opportunity to speak to Stallone himself, who shared personal memories of the difficult period when he was trying to get “Rocky” made.

What is next for Anthony Ippolito?

With “I Play Rocky” putting him firmly in the spotlight, Ippolito could be heading towards a very interesting phase of his career. The film has already generated considerable attention following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, with his performance attracting awards-season conversation.

As of November 2026, no major subsequent film or television project has been officially confirmed. But after playing two Hollywood legends, first Al Pacino and now Sylvester Stallone, Ippolito has certainly given audiences a reason to keep an eye on him.

For now, though, he has one rather big fight to win: convincing audiences that the man stepping into Stallone's shoes deserves his own moment in the spotlight.