Imagine being the reason your co-star ends up in the hospital—and it’s all because of a movie scene. That’s exactly what happened to Dolph Lundgren during the filming of ‘Rocky IV,’ and he’s still grappling with the guilt decades later. In a recent candid interview on FOX & Friends, Lundgren opened up about the infamous fight scene where he accidentally broke Sylvester Stallone’s ribs, sending the iconic actor to the hospital. But here’s where it gets even more surprising: Lundgren had no idea Stallone was injured until weeks later. ‘We were both taking hits in that fight,’ Lundgren recalled. ‘I only found out when the producer called and said, ‘Sly’s in the hospital.’ It was a shock.’
Playing the formidable Ivan Drago, Lundgren followed Stallone’s direction to go ‘really hard with the body,’ delivering those bone-crushing Russian uppercuts. ‘I don’t know if it was my punches, exhaustion, or something else, but he got hurt, and I’m truly sorry about that,’ he admitted. But here’s the part most people miss: Stallone wasn’t the only one throwing punches—Lundgren took his fair share of hits too. ‘He was the boss, and I did what he told me,’ Lundgren added, highlighting the intense physicality of the scene.
Before becoming a Hollywood action star, Lundgren’s life was on a completely different track. And this is where it gets fascinating: He was a Fulbright Scholar studying engineering at MIT, far removed from the glitz of showbiz. But a chance encounter in New York changed everything. ‘I met Andy Warhol, Michael Jackson, and others at Studio 54,’ Lundgren shared. ‘Someone suggested acting because I was a karate champion in Europe, and the rest is history.’
Landing the role of Ivan Drago in Rocky IV catapulted Lundgren into the action-movie hall of fame, leading to nearly 100 films. But here’s where it gets controversial: Despite his extensive filmography, Lundgren revealed that his favorite role to date was revisiting Ivan Drago in Creed II. ‘I loved exploring the older, more nuanced version of the character, especially the father-son dynamic with Viktor Drago,’ he explained. This interpretation might surprise fans who expected him to pick a more iconic role, but it showcases Lundgren’s depth as an actor.
Beyond the screen, Lundgren has ventured into entrepreneurship with his vodka brand, Hard Cut Vodka. And this is the part that’ll make you raise an eyebrow: Inspired by his dissatisfaction with existing vodkas, Lundgren—a chemical engineer by training—decided to create his own. ‘My wife said, ‘You’re from Sweden, you’ve played a Russian, and you’re an engineer—why not?’ So, I did,’ he said with a laugh.
From breaking ribs to breaking into the spirits industry, Lundgren’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. But here’s the question we’re left with: Is it ever truly possible to separate the actor from the action, especially when the consequences are so real? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Lundgren should still feel guilty, or is it all part of the job?
