Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone once stood in stark opposition during their early careers, with the two action stars locked in a fierce rivalry that dominated Hollywood in the 1980s. In a recent interview with Andy Cohen on Sirius XM’s ‘Radio Andy,’ Schwarzenegger offered a candid glimpse into their contentious history, describing the animosity between the two as more than just professional competition—it was a ‘war’ between two titans of the industry. ‘We hated each other. We were kind of attacking each other and doing nasty things and saying nasty things about each other and all these stupid things,’ Schwarzenegger recalled.
The feud, however, eventually softened as both actors found common ground through business and creative ventures. Schwarzenegger and Stallone’s reconciliation began when they partnered on the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain, a project backed by both stars and other prominent figures in entertainment. The venture, launched in New York in 1991, became a global phenomenon, with celebrities like Bruce Willis, Whoopi Goldberg, Chuck Norris, and others joining the endeavor. Schwarzenegger noted that the commercial success of Planet Hollywood marked a turning point in their relationship, as it brought them together in a way that their previous rivalry could not.
Stallone, who has also reflected on the past, acknowledged Schwarzenegger’s role in spurring his career. He admitted that Schwarzenegger’s emergence as a major force in Hollywood created a sense of competition that motivated him. ‘Finally, something to motivate me. Because he is, dare I say it, competition, a threat, whatever word you wanna use,’ Stallone said. Schwarzenegger, in turn, noted that Stallone’s presence pushed him to grow as an actor and achieve greater success. Their professional collaboration eventually extended to film, including the 2013 movie ‘Escape Plan,’ where their dynamic helped elevate the project.
Despite their past tensions, Schwarzenegger and Stallone have since become close friends and allies, although Stallone humorously pointed out that he remains ‘stuck’ with the blemish on his resume from Schwarzenegger’s prank that led to the 1992 film ‘Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.’ The film, which was a box office flop, became a symbol of their early rivalry, with Schwarzenegger admitting he had played a role in its creation by manipulating Stallone’s agents. ‘It was very clear that his agent was telling my agent,