Sylvester Stallone faced allegations of making cruel remarks about background actors on the set of Tulsa King, in which he stars as mafia capo Dwight ‘The General’ Mandfredi. Stallone, along with director Craig Zisk, was accused of calling extras ‘ugly and fat,’ among other derogatory remarks, leading to casting director Rose Locke resigning from the show. The claims emerged from social media posts by TV writer Julie Benson, but Zisk denied the allegations, stating that the extras were not cast according to the show’s premise of a ‘hip, young bar.’ Stallone remained silent on the accusations but shared a behind-the-scenes video from the set.
Despite the controversy surrounding his alleged conduct, Stallone appeared on set for the second season of Tulsa King, where he played his character, who has just been released from prison and has now established a criminal empire in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Additional background actors who were present during filming claimed to have not witnessed any misconduct by Stallone or Zisk. However, the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA noted that disparaging comments directed at background actors would not be permitted, expressing their commitment to the safety and well-being of all cast members on productions.
The allegations against Stallone led to a casting shakeup on Tulsa King, with Locke resigning from her position. The casting company, Rose Locke Casting, posted a statement announcing their departure from the show and thanking the background artists for their support. Zisk, the Director and Executive Producer of Tulsa King, refuted the claims made against him and Stallone, asserting that the extras were incorrectly cast and were expected to be younger. He stated that all actors, including the disputed extras, were professional and did their jobs adequately despite the casting issues.
Stallone, who did not publicly comment on the accusations, continued to work on set and film scenes for the show’s second season, portraying his character Mandfredi. Reports from background actors present during filming varied, with some expressing disappointment in Stallone’s behavior while others defended the actor and director. SAG-AFTRA emphasized their stance against disrespectful behavior towards background actors, even though their agreements do not formally cover extras in Atlanta. The union offered support and guidance in the event of any further complaints or issues arising on set.
The drama surrounding Stallone’s alleged conduct on the set of Tulsa King did not deter the actor from continuing his work on the show. Despite the controversy, Stallone remained focused on his role as Mandfredi and interacted with his co-stars and crew members during filming. Zisk’s denial of the claims and the testimonies of some background actors who did not witness any inappropriate behavior emphasized the conflicting perspectives regarding the situation. With uncertainties about the union’s potential involvement and the impact of the allegations on the production, the future of Tulsa King and its cast members remains uncertain as the show moves forward with its second season.
