Original Rocky statue to stay at Philadelphia Art Museum
The original Rocky statue will remain outside the Philadelphia Art Museum – thanks to an apparent change of heart on Sylvester Stallone’s part.
The veteran actor, who immortalized the role of downtrodden boxer Rocky Balboa in the Oscar-winning 1976 film, decided to show the town of Brother Love some love by allowing them to keep the iconic sculpture.
At a meeting of the Philadelphia Art Commission on Wednesday, it was revealed that the original statue at the base of the institution’s steps would not be replaced with a replica.
Citing “strong and heartfelt feedback from the public,” city officials said Stallone “has graciously decided that we will no longer move forward with the statue exchange project.”
As part of the city’s preliminary plan approval, the statue will be on display for a few months in 2026 inside the museum before moving to a permanent home at the top of the steps. It currently stands 10 feet tall at street level, next to the museum steps.
The 2025 Kennedy Center honoree loaned a replica to the city last December for the first-ever “Rocky Fest” after requesting that the original statue be returned to his possession.
“He asked to have it back, for reasons I don’t know,” the city’s cultural director, Valerie Gay, told Philadelphia Magazine before Wednesday’s decision was made. “And we’re happy to respect his wishes. We’re extremely happy that he’s swapping it with this other statue.”
Originally commissioned by the New York native for 1982’s “Rocky III,” the sculpture depicts the beloved character with his gloved fists raised in the air. In one of the most memorable scenes from the first “Rocky” film, the fighter concludes a training montage to the film’s theme song, “Gonna Fly Now,” on the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum.
Stallone purchased a replica of the Rocky statue at auction for $403,000 in 2017.
Both the original and the replica were created by sculptor A. Thomas Schomberg. The original solid bronze sculpture was donated to Philadelphia by the “Tulsa King” star in 1983. Since 2006, after moving to various locations around the city, the Rocky statue has lived outside the art museum.
“Far more than a movie prop, the Rocky statue has become a cultural touchstone that reflects the values, courage and spirit that define this city,” Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said in a statement read at Wednesday’s meeting.
