Sylvester Stallone recalls learning his son died over a 'cold' phone call

The 'Rocky' star, 80, suffered the loss of his 36-year-old son Sage in 2012

Web Desk

Published September 29, 2026

Stallone shared Sage with his ex, Sasha Czack

Sylvester Stallone is reflecting on the devastating loss of his son Sage, more than a decade after his death at age 36 from a sudden heart attack.

In an interview with The New York Times published on Saturday, September 26, the Rocky star recalled learning about his son’s death through an unexpected phone call from his mother’s husband.

“I’ll never forget, it was so cold: My mother’s new husband, who I’d never even met, who was a doctor, called me and goes: ‘Sly, he’s gone. Sage — he’s gone,’ ” he said. “I went, ‘Gone where?’ ‘He died, he’s gone. I’m sorry.’ Click.”

Stallone, 80, said the reality of his loss hit him fully about a week later.

“It was just pain and grief and guilt. It was not human,” he said.

Sage, who Stallone shared with his ex Sasha Czack, was found dead at his Los Angeles home on July 13, 2012. He passed away from coronary artery disease linked to atherosclerosis, which caused a heart attack.