They were the undisputed kings of action in the 1980s—Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, two muscle-bound titans who ruled the box office and absolutely couldn’t stand each other. But in a twist worthy of a Hollywood script, their bitter feud didn’t end with fists—it ended with a handshake and a restaurant.
Hollywood’s Heaviest Beef
During a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy, Arnold didn’t hold back.
“We literally hated each other,” he said. “We were constantly taking shots at each other, doing stupid stuff and talking trash.”
For years, they waged a silent war—competing over who had the bigger action scenes, better one-liners, or more explosive box office numbers. They weren’t just rivals; they were obsessed with outdoing each other.
Then Came Planet Hollywood
While working with Robert Earl and Keith Barish on launching the now-famous Planet Hollywood chain in the early 1990s, Arnold got a surprising call. His lawyer—who also happened to be Stallone’s lawyer—asked if there might be room for Sly in the venture.
Arnold thought about it, and for the first time, let go of the grudge.
“I realized, maybe this is the end of the madness,” he admitted.
That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter. In 1991, Planet Hollywood opened in New York City, with Schwarzenegger and Stallone joining forces alongside Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. Together, they transformed movie memorabilia into a global restaurant brand.
From Feud to Friendship
With the business deal came reconciliation. The action stars who once exchanged barbs on magazine covers and in interviews were suddenly posing together, laughing, and co-owning a franchise.
The rivalry was over—and in its place was a partnership that grew into mutual respect and eventual collaboration. From cameo appearances to sharing screen time in The Expendables, the former enemies became cinematic allies.
The Real Plot Twist
Arnold’s reflection on their rivalry turned friendship highlights a rare evolution in Hollywood—one where egos gave way to growth.
“I came out of my madness,” he said.
Today, the story of Schwarzenegger and Stallone isn’t just about who was tougher. It’s about how two of cinema’s biggest icons found common ground, built an empire, and proved that even the most intense rivalries can lead to something legendary.
