Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone recently revisited his early days of struggle, sharing a fascinating story about cleaning lion cages in a New York zoo before his breakthrough in films. Appearing on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show to promote his memoir The Steps, Stallone admitted that survival often meant taking any available job. He humorously recalled how he decided to work at the zoo during a sweltering August, unaware of how overwhelming the task would become.

Stallone described his short-lived job cleaning lion cages as one of the most challenging experiences of his life, joking that even showers could not wash away the smell. “This is not cologne we’re talking about,” he quipped, explaining how unbearable the work was. After nearly four weeks, he left the zoo job, only to take up work at a delicatessen. Unfortunately, the deli work wasn’t much better, as Stallone shared that slicing brisk pastrami came with its own share of horrors. He laughed about the experience, saying, “Don’t ever look at the bottom of a pastrami cooker because you will see hell.”

Now 79, Stallone is celebrated worldwide for his iconic roles in the Rocky and Rambo franchises. His influence continues to inspire, with Noah Centineo set to star in a John Rambo prequel and Anthony Ippolito cast to play a young Stallone in the upcoming biopic I Play Rocky. Stallone himself congratulated Ippolito, praising the script and encouraging him with his trademark phrase, Keep punching, Kid.