Paramount+
Famed actor and director Sylvester Stallone has been accused of creating a toxic work environment on the set of his Paramount+ series Tulsa King.
According to reports, Rose Locke, a casting director on the series, is said to have quit due to Stallone’s behavior, which allegedly includes mocking cast and crew members by calling them ugly and laughing at them.
Tulsa King, created by Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan — who also has a reputation for being quite toxic, as Matthew McConaughey is reportedly hesitant to work with him due to his apparently jerkish ways — premiered on the Paramount+ streaming service in 2022 and has since been renewed for a second season.
“The claims against Stallone that sparked discussion among background actors were ampified on social media by TV writer Julie Benson. On April 8, Benson posted two screenshots on X and wrote: ‘Got this disturbing news from my Atlanta friend who’s background on Tulsa King this wk. Casting agent quit because she was so disgusted. My friend is feeling anxious about working now. @TheSlyStallone what do you have to say for yourself, sir? Beyond disappointed, I’m livid.’”
“The screenshots contained a Facebook post with a blurred user name, recounting an allegation that Stallone was heard saying to the show’s director ‘What the r*** is happening with these r****** ugly background,’ meaning the extras in a scene. It went on to say, ‘He and the director proceeded to call certain people terrible names and laughed at them,’ giving specifics. And then, Sly said, ‘Bring in pretty young girls to be around me.’” [via Variety]
Craig Zisk, the director and executive producer of the series, has denied the allegations, telling TMZ that Locke “was not on set during the day of the alleged encounter” and that she “improperly cast the extras.”
At this time, Stallone has not replied to requests for comment regarding the workplace allegations made against him, as Variety reports that one of his reps declined to provide a statement.
In Tulsa King, Stallone stars as mafia capo Dwight ‘The General’ Manfredi, whom his boss exiled from New York City to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he’s tasked with setting up shop for the gang.
Additional Tulsa King stars include Andrea Savage, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Max Casella, Domenick Lombardozzi, Vincent Piazza, A.C. Peterson, Garrett Hedlund, and Dana Delany.