Dolph Lundgren Reveals It Took Him Five Years to Recover From Rocky IV Fame

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Dolph Lundgren shared his surprise upon being thrust into stardom following the 1985 success of “Rocky IV.” Originally a Swedish actor, he garnered fame by portraying Ivan Drago, the menacing Soviet boxer in the “Rocky” series. He is one of the most memorable adversaries in the entire franchise and continues to be one of Sylvester Stallone’s toughest opponents. The fight between Rocky and Drago transcended professional boxing, symbolizing the Cold War itself, with Rocky embodying the United States and Drago representing the Soviet Union.

Four decades after the debut of Rocky IV, Lundgren recalls the pressures and obligations of his sudden fame, as he shared at Fan Expo Philadelphia (attended by Ebaster). He admitted it took him “around five years to regain balance.” Lundgren’s character became instantly iconic in the Rocky franchise, but given that he was the one who fatally defeated Apollo Creed in the ring, it’s no surprise some fans found his portrayal controversial. However, Lundgren’s statements suggest that playing Drago came with political weight that took time for him to adapt to.

Dolph Lundgren’s Newfound Rocky IV Fame Had Political Connotations

Ivan Drago Embodied Just About Every Negative Russian Stereotype There Is

In the movie “Rocky IV”, Rocky’s fight against Ivan Drago wasn’t just a personal battle, it symbolically represented the tensions of the Cold War. Dolph Lundgren’s character portrayed the negative stereotypes often associated with Russians, being cold and aggressive. Drago, as an almost mechanical adversary, was devoid of humanity, even saying “If he dies, he dies,” after killing Apollo Creed in the ring. Because of this harsh depiction, during the worldwide press tour for Rocky IV, Lundgren was frequently asked about his views on the Cold War.

Being thrust into fame caught me off guard. The film was incredibly successful and required a global promotional tour during the Cold War. As a result, I found myself in Germany for a major press conference where they asked me about the Cold War situation. To be honest, I didn’t have a clue what to say, so I apologized. It took me around five years to adjust to this new reality.

Despite being a Swedish actor, Lundgren became famous for portraying a ruthless Russian character, which thrust him into the limelight and required him to address intricate political matters. However, Lundgren leveraged his success in Rocky IV to secure the lead role of He-Man in Masters of the Universe or to continue playing villains in beloved films like Universal Soldier. Yet, off-screen, he was still adapting to his sudden fame.

Our Take On Dolph Lundgren’s Rocky IV Comments

Ivan Drago’s Character Was Not A Hero Like Rocky

Although Dolph Lundgren is now recognized as one of the greatest action stars, it’s reasonable to assume he found it challenging to adjust to the fame that followed his role in Rocky IV. Unlike Sylvester Stallone, who became a global icon for portraying a beloved hero in Rocky in 1976, Lundgren was cast as a dehumanized athlete serving the wishes of a totalitarian regime in Rocky IV. This movie was released four years before the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the political nature of his role would have undoubtedly made him feel uneasy.

Originally a student of chemical engineering who later transitioned into acting, Dolph Lundgren was only 28 when he landed his major role as Ivan Drago following a minor part in the film “A View to a Kill” within the James Bond series. At that point, Lundgren was still a budding actor aiming to establish himself, and the prospect of discussing a heavy topic like the Cold War may have been intimidating. However, with all his apprehension, Dolph Lundgren managed to maintain the same composure and self-assuredness as his character Drago, eventually transforming that hurdle into enduring success after approximately five years.

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2025-05-20 18:25