There’s no pain more unbearable than losing a child, regardless of age—whether unborn, young, or an adult. Sylvester Stallone, the Hollywood legend behind iconic characters like Rocky Balboa, knows this heart-wrenching truth all too well. In 2012, he tragically lost his firstborn, Sage Stallone, at the age of just 36.
However, what many don’t know is that weeks before his untimely death, Sage’s mother, Sasha Czack, begged him to avoid undergoing a major dental surgery—a plea that would sadly go unheeded.
Sylvester Stallone’s journey to stardom wasn’t easy. Born with a facial injury during delivery, he grew up with a permanent facial paralysis that led to a signature snarl. This, coupled with a tumultuous home life—an abusive father and emotionally distant mother—left Stallone with emotional scars that would last a lifetime.
In his early years, Stallone struggled both academically and physically. He was expelled from 13 schools by age 12 and endured broken bones from his rebellious antics. He even faced homelessness before his breakthrough role in Rocky in 1976. That’s when everything changed for Stallone, launching him to international fame.
Before fame, Stallone married Sasha Czack, a photographer and director, in the early years of his career. The couple had two sons: Sage (born in 1976) and Seargeoh (born in 1979). Sadly, their marriage ended in 1985, just before Stallone’s second marriage to actress Brigitte Nielsen, which also ended in divorce.
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In 1997, Stallone found lasting love with model and entrepreneur Jennifer Flavin, with whom he shares three daughters: Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet.
But no loss was more devastating than the death of his first son, Sage.
Sage Stallone, an actor and filmmaker in his own right, was best known for his role in Rocky V and for founding Grindhouse Releasing, a company dedicated to remastering and restoring classic films.
On July 13, 2012, Sage was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment by his housekeeper. The circumstances surrounding his death immediately sparked speculation—everything from drug overdoses to suicide was rumored. But as the weeks passed, a more painful truth came to light.
Sasha Czack had begged her son not to undergo dental surgery just two weeks before his death. She was worried, having heard of the risks associated with multiple procedures in the mouth. But Sage, despite his mother’s concerns, went ahead with the surgery, having five teeth removed and using painkillers to manage the post-operative discomfort.
Sadly, this decision would prove to be fatal.
In late August 2012, an official autopsy confirmed that Sage Stallone died from atherosclerosis—a condition where the arteries harden, ultimately leading to a heart attack. While painkillers were detected in his system, no overdose was found. The rumors surrounding drug abuse and alcohol, spread by some media outlets, were ultimately debunked by those who knew Sage best.
His longtime friend and attorney, George Braunstein, confirmed that Sage was a healthy and vibrant young man with no history of substance abuse or depression.
As rumors swirled, Stallone publicly asked for privacy and respect for his son’s memory. He expressed the unimaginable pain of losing Sage, his firstborn and the center of his world. "There is no greater pain for a parent than the loss of their child," Stallone said in a statement.
Stallone’s grief was compounded by the loss of the son he held most dear. "I am humbly begging for all to have my son’s memory and soul left in peace," he said.
Though the pain of Sage's death is something that Sylvester Stallone and his ex-wife, Sasha Czack, will never fully recover from, they continue to find strength in their remaining family. Stallone’s second son, Seargeoh, who has lived a relatively private life due to his autism diagnosis, remains outside the celebrity spotlight.
Meanwhile, Stallone’s daughters—Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet—have all pursued their own passions. Sophia and Sistine co-host the Unwaxed podcast, and Scarlet is carving out a career in modeling and acting.
Sasha Czack’s unwavering maternal instinct to protect her son is a powerful reminder of the lengths a mother will go to for her child. While the tragedy of Sage’s death is heart-wrenching, the love that bound this family together is undeniable.
Share this story to honor Sage Stallone’s memory and the strength of the Stallone family, who continue to live with the scars of this heartbreaking loss.
Never forget Sage Stallone—gone too soon, but forever remembered.