Fans have spent years debating who truly reigns supreme: Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone. The two action icons dominated the ’80s and ’90s, and their rivalry was no secret. Few actors know them both up close — but Robert Patrick does.
During a recent interview with ComicBook, while promoting season three of Tulsa King — the hit crime drama led by Stallone — Patrick finally offered his take. And he did it with the same diplomatic finesse he’s known for.
“Stallone is more than an action hero”
Patrick didn’t hesitate to call the question “dangerous.” Then he carefully drew the line between the two megastars.
“You know, they’re two… I mean, it’s two different people you can’t really compare,” he said. “Both [are] great guys in their own right, you know. Sly is more than just an actor: he’s a writer, he’s a painter, he’s creative. You know, he’s directed. So, you know, that sets him apart, I guess.”
By highlighting Stallone’s creative range — from his screenwriting roots in Rocky to his long résumé as a director — Patrick reframed the actor as a multi-hyphenate artist rather than just a cinematic tough guy.
What makes Schwarzenegger stand out
Still, Patrick wasn’t about to leave Schwarzenegger behind.
“Arnold is Arnold, and Arnold is a great guy,” he added. “Sly is just another creative being. He’s… there’s a lot more than just ‘action star’. How’s that?… I don’t want to get myself in trouble with anybody, because I love them both, they’re great.”
With that, Patrick managed to resolve a debate decades in the making — without fanning old rivalries.
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