Rare SI Photos of Rocky Balboa

An American icon is marking his 40th anniversary. On Nov. 21, 1976, movie audiences met South Philly boxer Rocky Balboa. Four decades later, the lovable loser turned heavyweight champion still resonates with fans. His underdog story against the gritty backdrop of a blue-collar city is one of the most celebrated in American film. ''Rocky'' was made on a budget of only $1 million, but it went on to make more than $225 million worldwide. The film also won three Oscars, including best picture, and made a megastar out of Sylvester Stallone, who wrote it.

Rare SI Photos of Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith), Paulie (Burt Young), Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), and Adrian (Talia Shire)

Neil Leifer

for Rocky II (1978)

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and Adrian (Talia Shire)

Neil Leifer

for Rocky II (1978)

Gerry Cooney and Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone)

Neil Leifer

for Rocky III (1982)

Gerry Cooney and Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone)

Neil Leifer

for Rocky III (1982)

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and Clubber Lang (Mr. T)

Neil Leifer

Rocky III (1982)

Rocky Balboa statue

Al Tielemans

outside of the Spectrum arena in Philadelphia (1996)

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and Mason "The Line" Dixon (Antonio Tarver)

Neil Leifer

Rocky Balboa (2006)

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and Mason "The Line" Dixon (Antonio Tarver)

Neil Leifer

Rocky Balboa (2006)

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone)

Neil Leifer

Rocky Balboa (2006)