Sylvester Stallone

The 77-year-old actor maybe an action legend now, but before he sold the script to 'Rocky' in 1976 - on the agreement that would play the titual boxer - Sly was struggling financially.

He even had to sell his pet pooch to have cash to eat.

Once the check cleared for the screenplay, Stallone was able to buy back his beloved Butkus after he was forced to sell him so he could buy food.

He wrote on his Instagram: "I had to sell [Butkus] for $40 in front of a 7-Eleven store because I couldn't afford food. Then like a modern day miracle, the screenplay for Rocky sold, and I could buy him back, but the new owner knew I was desperate, and charged me $15,000… He was worth every penny!"

'Rocky' won the Best Picture Oscar and spawned a further five films as well as the 'Creed' spin-off franchise.