I wasn’t surprised to walk into the den and find my husband watching “Rocky.”

“The Shawshank Redemption” and any of the “Rocky” movies are at the top of his list of films he has seen several times.

Only recently did I learn of the story behind Rocky by reading and listening to interviews of Sylvester Stallone online.

Stallone was a struggling actor with the dream of writing a film in which he would star. Inspired by the Muhammed Ali/Chuck Wepner fight in 1975, he sat in his apartment (a room where he could sit on his bed, close the door and open the window) and wrote the script for Rocky.

He pitched the script and was offered $25,000, but no part in the movie. Stallone refused.

Even though poverty had forced him to sell his dog for $25, he held out for a role in his own movie.

The offers continued, as did the list of actors slated for the lead:  Ryan O’Neil, Robert Redford, Burt Reynolds or James Caan.

Stallone refused even when the producers raised their bid to $375,000. He held on to his dream and finally agreed to $35,000 for the script and the opportunity to star in Rocky.

Reportedly, the first thing Stallone did was track down his dog and bought him back.

Stallone realized his dream, but I wonder if he ever imagined his future. In its first year, the movie made over $220 million worldwide and led to six sequels. My husband has enjoyed every movie, including the most recent, “Creed.”

Although I’m not a fan of watching movies over and over, Sylvester Stallone’s story is one I plan to retell.

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.