An Atlanta-based casting company has quit after discovering that Sylvester Stallone ridiculed background actors on the set of the second season of his series, Tulsa King.
Background actors in the Atlanta area have a private Facebook page where they can detail their experiences on various sets. The moderator of the page wrote in a post that Sylvester Stallone was overheard asking director Craig Zisk: "What the F*** is up with these f***ing ugly background." He and Zisk were then overheard calling them names, such as "Tub of lard," and "fat guy with cane," and laughing at them.
The man referenced in the latter comment responded that he'd overheard the put-down and it "hurt his soul" to be described that way.
Rose Locke Casting had been asked to provide background actors 18 and over for a casino scene. As soon as Rose Locke heard what was going on, she visited the set the next day "to see what was happening. At the end of the day I resigned because it was a clear toxic environment."
The news was then announced on Sunday on the Rose Locke Casting page on Facebook: "We wanted to send you an update on the happenings here in our casting world. We have chosen to part ways with Tulsa King. We will be finishing up next week and the 12th will be our last day... We thank all of you great background artists for your continued support."
The details have been getting around Hollywood and not only are other background artists' agencies disgusted by what happened, but others in the industry have weighed in, including Star Trek: Prodigy writer/producer Julie Benson, who tweeted on X:
Dee Dee McDaniel Simmons, who runs a Facebook page for Background Actors/Crew in Charleston, South Carolina, posted on Monday, April 8, 2024:
"Several groups are talking about what happened on the set of Tulsa King filming in Atlanta. At first I had hoped it was just a bad rumor started by 1 person who may have felt some type of way; but there have been countless people who were on set and have stated what they saw, how they were treated, etc. Sadly it seems Sly Stallone and crew made things miserable for the background artists and many have said the set was completely unprofessional and a total mess. Although I have not personally worked with Rose Locke & CL Casting... I have great respect for them for pulling out of the project and looking out for their background artists."
Director Zisk denies that any disparaging remarks about the background performers were made and blames the casting director for not casting younger background actors for the scene. A source close to the show said they are looking into the matter. ~Alexandra Heilbron
What a creep. He's not and never has been good looking. People could say a lot of rude things about his looks.
i dont believe nothing, sounds like holiweird is blackballing Sly.
Well...this post leaves me just exactly whr my.mindset has always been...he started out as an "underdog"...but clearly has forgot whr he came from. Not going to any of his movies or series...not letting my.kids c this man's movies...too much into perfection...which he clearly is not!!!! 👎👎👎👎👎
Sylvester Stallone needs to take a long hard look in the mirror at HIS ugly mug before ever criticizing anyone else's appearance. He's NEVER been an attractive man, at any age.....this shows how ugly he is on the inside!!!
BAD ENERGY BAD FIBES Not the kind of person i would want to be around with.
I am sorry to hear this info. I have always liked and respected Sly Stallone and admire his work. I hope this is a miss understanding. If it's not then it's truly uncool. I am not a background performer but I know many who are. They take the work seriously. It supplements their income and many are fairly poor which is why they do it. Others just like to be on a film set and feel that they are contributing to the movie. They are true movie fans. Don't insult your fans.
Sounds like the casting company sent the wrong kind of people over, and maybe words were said but I know sly wouldn’t sit there and make fun of people unless it was part of the script, he’s got more class then that
I'm surprised that anyone who looks as bad as he does would be pointing fingers at anyone about their looks!! At this late stage in his acting game he should be happy to get any part in any movie. He's an old washed up has-been of an actor. IMHO any part he has played in the big selling movies was just a streak of luck -- or he is/was friends with a prominent producer to have been put in those big parts of the big selling movies. Too often, it's "not what you can do, but who you know" --- he knew all the right people. He really needs to throw in the towel for parts of any of those muscle/hero movies any more & any decent producer/director needs to look past him for other better, more worthy & likely actors to fill the roles in their movie plans..
I guess this proves how good an actor he is. He's Trash in real life, but he's able to appear human when he is reading someone else's words and pretending for a camera.
He really can’t afford to make fun of ANYONE with his unfortunate face. He has never come close to ‘good looking’…never will. He is a lousy actor to boot..very robotic. Take a look in the mirror Sky😬😬😬
"Director Zisk... blames the casting director for not casting younger background actors for the scene." They were shooting a casino scene. Older people and people who look different would be in such a place. He asks for younger actors here, but 18 and older from the casting director. So he wants 18 to 21? With only one old fogey in the room (Stallone)? Sure. Totally believable. Either way, the comments attributed to Stallone are far beyond tasteless.
Not surprised at all. He has been sexually assaulting women for years too. He is well known in the Vancouver film industry for being a jerk.
Sly was on a talk show recently, and he said he was going to do a reality show with his family. I think that shows where he is going. If he is critical of others on the set, does he think the only 'beautiful' people are his family? And perhaps, more famous ones? He really pumped up his family. I believe they were with him on the talk show, also. Just saying...
Sly should look in the mirror, he’s too old to be incensitive
I think that fame turns people into believing they are better than most. Hey Stallone get back to the classroom and realize you're just an Actor . Treat people with dignity don't be arrogant we all breathe the same air!
I have disliked him since I learned 20+ years ago that he was paid 5 million to display cigarettes in his movies.
I don't believe Sylvester Stallone would make fun of people like this. Sounds like a setup to make a great man look bad.
Mr. Stallone, you are no better than anyone else, you put your pants on one leg in at a time like everyone else. just because your well off does not mean you better than anyone else. Mr. Stallone you better look in the mirror and remember were you started from.
Caught 5 min. of his family reality show it was like watching paint dry. Like the Kardashians, who cares??? Don't people have anything better to do?
He's into young girls and watersports
Stallone started the Richard Gere/gerbil rumor.