Sylvester Stallone surprises fans with visit to iconic ‘Rocky’ statue

Sylvester Stallone, left, poses with Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney in front of the Rocky statue at the Philadelphia Art Museum for a “Creed II” photo op, Friday, April 6, 2018, in Philadelphia. The film, part of the “Rocky” film franchise, will be released later this year. Image: MICHAEL PEREZ / AP

PHILADELPHIA — Hey, it’s Rocky. And Rocky?

Sylvester Stallone had passersby doing double takes and chanting “Rocky! Rocky!” on Friday as he made a surprise visit to the statue of his iconic Rocky Balboa character in Philadelphia.

The 71-year-old Stallone has played the underdog boxing champ in seven “Rocky” films since 1976 and is currently in the City of Brotherly Love making the sequel to the 2015 hit “Creed.”

Sylvester Stallone greets a crowd as he walks to the Rocky statue at the Philadelphia Art Museum for a photo op with Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney to promote “Creed II,” Friday, April 6, 2018, in Philadelphia. The film, part of the “Rocky” film franchise, will be released later this year. Image: MICHAEL PEREZ / AP

Stallone took a break from shooting to join Mayor Jim Kenney at the statue, next to the Philadelphia Art Museum steps he famously climbed in the first “Rocky” film.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhPJC61D5r9/?taken-by=officialslystallone

They rededicated a plaque that had been lost for 12 years and Kenney presented him with a personalized jersey from the Super Bowl champion Eagles.

Stallone commissioned the statue for “Rocky III” in 1980. NVG

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