No, Sylvester Stallone isn't dead: Online confusion follows music legend Sly Stone's passing
Sylvester Stallone is very much alive, despite a wave of ' RIP Sylvester Stallone ' messages that flooded social media Monday, June 9.
Stone, born Sylvester Stewart, was a central figure in shaping the sound of American funk and soul in the late 1960s and '70s. He died peacefully after a prolonged battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, his family said in a statement released Monday.
The confusion stemmed from the nickname 'Sly,' which both men share.
But their careers could hardly be more different. Stone, raised in Vallejo, was a musical innovator whose band broke racial and gender barriers. His hits — including 'Dance to the Music,' 'Family Affair' and 'Everyday People' — became anthems of a generation.
His childhood nickname 'Sly' came from a misspelling of 'Sylvester.'
Stallone, by contrast, is a Hollywood icon, known for portraying cinematic tough guys like boxer Rocky Balboa and soldier John Rambo. The actor is a vocal Donald Trump supporter, who last year called the anti-DEI president the 'second George Washington.'
The 78-year-old celebrity has made no public statement about the mix-up, though fans were quick to set the record straight.
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Sly Stone, Funk-Rock Pioneer, Dies at 82
Sly Stone, who took audiences higher during memorable performances at Woodstock and the Fillmore West, but whose career was plagued by drug problems and periodic disappearances, has died. He was 82. Stone died after a 'prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues,' his family said Monday. More from The Hollywood Reporter Frederick Forsyth, Author of 'The Day of the Jackal,' Dies at 86 Taylor Swift's 'Reputation' Album Surges Back to Top Five on Charts Following Masters Purchase 'Outer Banks' Actor Jonathan Daviss to Star as Snoop Dogg in Universal Biopic 'It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone,' they wrote in a statement. 'Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family. While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come.' Sly and the Family Stone burst onto the scene in 1968 with the cathartic 'Dance to the Music' and followed with a string of crossover smash hits that defined their hometown San Francisco's 'Summer of Love,' including 'Stand!,' 'Hot Fun in the Summertime,' 'Runnin' Away,' 'If You Want Me to Stay' and 'Time for Livin'.' The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and inspired everyone from Herbie Hancock to George Clinton's P-Funk, Michael Jackson, Curtis Mayfield, Bob Marley, The Isley Brothers, Prince, Public Enemy, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Eyed Peas, The Roots, OutKast and Kendrick Lamar. Stone's life was the subject of significant discussion this year thanks to Questlove's documentary Sly Lives, which was released to significant acclaim earlier this year. 'Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music,' Sly's family said. 'His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable. In a testament to his enduring creative spirit, Sly recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course, which follows a memoir published in 2024.' Born on March 15, 1943, in Denton, Texas, Sylvester Stewart came from a family of devout Christians who took their beliefs with them when they moved to Vallejo, California, a suburb northwest of San Francisco. Reared on church music, he was 8 when he and three of his siblings recorded a gospel single as The Stewart Four. A musical prodigy who picked up the name 'Sly' in grade school, Stone was adept at keyboards, guitar, bass and drums by 11, and he went on to perform in several high school bands, one of which, The Viscaynes, boasted a then unheard-of mixed lineup and released a few singles. After attending Vallejo Junior College, Stone got a job as a fast-talking DJ at San Francisco R&B station KSOL, where his eclectic taste stoked his popularity, working the new British bands like The Beatles, The Animals and The Stones into the station's soul format. By the time he brought his show to crosstown KDIA, he had already been producing records for the local label, Autumn Records, thanks to DJ Tom Donahue, who recommended him. The company was the home for such Bay Area bands as The Beau Brummels, The Charlatans, The Great Society and The Mojo Men. In 1964, Stone produced Bobby Freeman's Top-5 pop hit, 'C'mon and Swim.' After leading a band called Sly and the Stoners, featuring trumpet player Cynthia Robinson, Stone brought in his brother Freddie on guitar, sister Rose on keyboards, Gregg Errico on drums, Jerry Martini on sax and Larry Graham on bass to complete Sly and the Family Stone. They drew the interest of Epic Records, where they signed and released their debut album, A Whole New Thing at the end of 1967's Summer of Love. Despite critical acclaim, A Whole New Thing failed to resonate with audiences. However, the subsequent release of a new single, 'Dance to the Music,' from the album of the same name, vaulted into the top-10 on both the pop and R&B charts. 'Everyday People' (and its B-side, 'Sing a Simple Song'), released in late 1968 and followed by the album Stand! In May of 1969, marked the crossover emergence of the band, going to No. 1 on both the pop and R&B charts, followed by the title track and its B-side, 'I Want To Take You Higher.' The album climbed to No. 3 R&B and No. 13 pop, the band's first certified platinum seller, with iconic non-singles such as 'Sex Machine.' There's a Riot Goin' On is arguably Stone's masterpiece, both critically and commercially — it went to the top of both the Pop and R&B album charts within a few weeks of its release in November 1971. The transformative masterpiece of race and song — a template for the later work of Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar, among others — the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. That turned out to be Sly's last hurrah. In June 1973, the band released a new single, 'If You Want Me to Stay.' (The departures of Graham and Errico during this period hastened the band's demise.) Continuing with Epic, Sly recorded High on You in 1975 and Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back a year later. In June 1983, Stone was arrested in Fort Myers, Florida, and charged with cocaine possession. He toured with Bobby Womack, recorded with Jesse Johnson and released several songs from soundtracks, including 'Eek-a-Boo Static Automatic' for Soul Man (1986) and 'I'm the Burglar' for Burglar (1987). Stone sightings were sporadic after that, though he did appear for his Rock Hall induction and at the 2006 Grammys, where he briefly and bizarrely participated in a multi-artist tribute to the band featuring John Legend, Fantasia, Adam Levine, Ciara, Steve Tyler and Joe Perry. He abruptly waved goodbye midway through 'I Want to Take You Higher,' disappearing into the night. Sly Stone is survived by a son, Sylvester Jr. (from first wife Kathy Silva), and two daughters, Sylvette (whose mom is Robinson) and Novena Carmel. 'We extend our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers during this difficult time. We wish peace and harmony to all who were touched by Sly's life and his iconic music,' his family said. 'Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unwavering support.' 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Questlove Remembers Sly Stone: 'He Dared to Be Simple in the Most Complex Ways'
Questlove, who helmed Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius), has paid tribute to the documentary's subject, Sly Stone, hours after the iconic artist died on Monday. Stone died after a 'prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues,' his family shared on Monday. He was 82. More from The Hollywood Reporter Diddy's Ex Passed Out After Reading Cassie's Lawsuit Describing "Freak-Off" Orgies Sly Stone, Funk-Rock Pioneer, Dies at 82 Taylor Swift's 'Reputation' Album Surges Back to Top Five on Charts Following Masters Purchase 'Sly Stone, born Sylvester Stewart, left this earth today, but the changes he sparked while here will echo forever,' Questlove wrote in a tribute shared to his Instagram Monday. 'From the moment his music reached me in the early 1970s, it became a part of my soul. Sly was a giant — not just for his groundbreaking work with the Family Stone, but for the radical inclusivity and deep human truths he poured into every note. His songs weren't just about fighting injustice; they were about transforming the self to transform the world. He dared to be simple in the most complex ways — using childlike joy, wordless cries, and nursery rhyme cadences to express adult truths. His work looked straight at the brightest and darkest parts of life and demanded we do the same.' With Sly Lives!, which premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival, Questlove explored not only Stone's life and legacy, but also the burden of success and the challenges faced by Black artists in America. 'Yes, Sly battled addiction. Yes, he disappeared from the spotlight. But he lived long enough to outlast many of his disciples, to feel the ripples of his genius return through hip-hop samples, documentaries, and his memoir,' Questlove said. 'Still, none of that replaces the raw beauty of his original work. As I reflect on his legacy, two lines haunt me: 'We deserve everything we get in this life' — a line from the Sly Lives! documentary that feels like both a warning and a manifestation — and, of course, the eternal cry of 'Everyday People': 'We got to live together!' Once idealistic, now I hear it as a command. Sly's music will likely speak to us even more now than it did then. Thank you, Sly. You will forever live.' While Stone's career was plagued by drug problems and periodic disappearances, he still made his mark on the music world with hits like 'Everyday People,' 'Dance to the Music,' 'If You Want Me To Stay' and 'Hot Fun In The Summertime.' Sly and the Family Stone was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. 'Thankyoufaliftingushigher Sly,' Questlove wrote, conlcuding his post. 'Love to your family, loved ones and every human whose life you came across and effected [sic]. All of you disciples will be geeked to receive you.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
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Left with only a handful of restaurants in addition to its resorts, Planet Hollywood followed another trend out of tinsel town and prepared itself for a reboot. In 2023, founder and CEO Robert Earl's Earl Enterprises brought in a new chief development officer in Valentina Ellison to begin putting brands into non-traditional locations. Two years later, Planet Hollywood had opened new doors in Times Square with a relaunch that Earl described as an "all-encompassing sensory experience" fusing technology with the "unique flair of Hollywood," per PR Newswire. As was the case when the chain began decades earlier, the launch included a cavalcade of celebrities like Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg, Pete Davidson, and Schwarzenegger. The popularity of sandwich shops is readily identifiable as the historic, quick, and customizable handheld offerings can be tailored toward decadence or dieting. Capitalizing on that market with its toasty offerings, Quiznos had grown from its 1981 founding in Denver, Colorado to nearly 5,000 locations in less than three decades. Even after riding through the recession and closing almost 2,000 of its shops, Quiznos maintained its place as the second largest sub seller in North America. Bankruptcy in 2014 spelled further decline as the total number of locations plummeted below 400. Those struggles paved the way for a new business plan as High Bluff Capital Partners acquired Quiznos brand in 2018 and sought to introduce a new identity after testing prototype locations that were launched in 2021. This included a partnership with BCubed Manufacturing LLC which brought about The Qube, a modular restaurant design built entirely off-site before getting dropped at a desired location complete with walk-up windows and a drive-thru. Changes on the inside included the addition of fryers and flat top grills to accommodate new menu offerings. Quiznos also sought to make the old new again as marketing pulled the Spongmonkeys mascots out of retirement after 20 years. In 1976, Bennigan's was founded in Atlanta, Georgia bringing the beloved theme of an Irish Pub to the mainstream casual dining experience. While the chain grew both domestically and overseas, the economic downturn had led then-parent company Metromedia Restaurant Group to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2008, forcing all corporate-owned locations to close. With another ownership change came a new CEO in Paul Mangiamele, who would go on to lead the next chapter in Bennigan's story. Taking over executive responsibility in 2011 when about 60 restaurants remained in operation, by 2015, Bennigan's had found new growth under its new CEO and boasted of 85 locations. That year, Mangiamele and his wife Gwen launched Legendary Restaurant Brands through which they acquired complete ownership of the Irish Pub-themed chain and instilled new life to the business. This included the launch of a fast-casual concept in spots where traditional dining was more challenging — like train stations and hospitals — dubbed Bennigan's On the Fly. As of the beginning of 2025, Legendary Restaurant Brands was promoting its franchise opportunities leveraged off of customer loyalty and brand recognition. An invitation for all-you-can-eat can sometimes be interpreted as a challenge. While there are red flags to watch out for with buffet's, where Golden Corral was concerned, the real challenge was inspiring customers to come back after its model made it wholly incompatible with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originating in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1973, the buffet-style restaurant had expanded to more than 500 locations by the end of the '80s before it began licensing franchises. Roughly 40 years later, 1069 Restaurant Group would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as the largest Golden Corral franchise operator with 33 locations. All told, over 100 restaurants had closed before Golden Corral began to see an upswing in growth in 2022 with a modest addition of three locations. Adopting a slow and steady approach to win its race, CEO Lance Trenary had credited seeking prime purchasing opportunities to mitigate rising costs and avoid passing inflation on to the customers. Likewise, the variety of options at the buffet were maintained, and customers took notice as in June 2023 a record of $102,000 in average weekly sales was attained per store without simply raising prices. Success from Golden Corral's standards allowed for greater investment in the workforce, earning the chain accolades as both a beloved brand and, according to Newsweek, a "Most Loved Workplace." While some old-school chains rely on well-connected investors infusing sizable amounts of money, in the case of The Ground Round, what really matters is a commitment to nostalgia. Originating in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts as an offshoot of Howard Johnson's, the first of what would grow to over 200 restaurants had opened in 1969. Some 35 years later, the chain that served up bottomless popcorn and peanuts to go along with steaks and burgers wound up filing for bankruptcy. After emerging from bankruptcy courtesy of the Ground Round Independent Owners Cooperative, LLC. the 71 remaining The Ground Round locations diminished over the course of 20 years down to a mere four before the husband and wife duo of Joseph and Nachi Shea acquired branding rights in 2024, answering the question as to whatever happened to the popular chain. While the existing restaurants remained licensed units, the Sheas brought The Ground Round back to Shrewsbury without "investors or deep pockets," notes Marketplace. 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By 2015, it was recognized as a landmark by the Lakewood Historical Society and fond childhood memories had inspired the guys behind "South Park" to invest in restoring the restaurant to its former unique glory. On top of a $3.1 million price tag, $40 million was directed at renovations that included 400 gallons of paint for the iconic pink exterior alone. Having included the location in an episode of their animated show decades earlier, the ownership of Parker and Stone found reservation lists filling up months in advance after initially only welcoming guests by invitation. A dispute with Arby's could easily be credited for some of the success of Roy Rogers restaurants. Licensing the name of the King of Cowboys had only come after a trademark infringement suit had been brought over the original name, RoBee's Roast Beef House. From then on, the Old West-themed restaurant serving up burgers, fried chicken, and roast beef — that one could smother with toppings from the Fixin's Bar — grew to nearly 650 locations before Marriott sold the chain to Hardee's. The $365 million deal in 1990 began a decline in reach for Roy Rogers as more than 150 locations were converted to Hardee's restaurants and more than 350 locations were sold to competing fast food chains. Even as locations were chipped away — with the number of restaurants numbering at about 40 by 2025 — family franchisees Jim and Pete Plamandon Jr. determined to buy the brand in 2002 and set out to usher the chain back to prominence. Remodels and upgrades over more than two decades found Roy Rogers signing deals for new locations and re-franchising locations toward expansion along the East Coast. Coming to a complete close does not mean the end for a brand if investors are willing to bring it back to life. Such was the case in 2024 when a brand new Steak and Ale location was opened in Burnsville, Minnesota 16 years after bankruptcy had seemingly tolled a death knell for the once prominent steakhouse. Known for prime rib, Hawaiian chicken, and the hardly-seen-anymore salad bar, the original Steak and Ale was opened in Dallas, Texas in 1966 by restauranteur Norman E. Brinker. After brief ownership by Pillsbury closing out the '70s and beginning the '80s, Steak and Ale became an independent company alongside sister chain Bennigan's dubbed S&A Restaurant Corp. and ultimately expanded to almost 300 locations. A merger with Bonanza and Ponderosa owner Metromedia Restaurant Group led to what may have been the final hoorah for Steak and Ale with its 2008 bankruptcy. The restaurant's fate was reversed in 2015 when the Mangiameles' Legendary Restaurant Brands saw an opportunity for the "new-stalgic" brand as consumers sought competing options for affordable steakhouses. The opening of the Minnesota location is just the planned start for Steak and Ale as the owners are eyeing a return to the chains home turf in the Lone Star State's DFW-area and beyond. Tumultuous times often leave people longing for yesteryear, a reality apparent in fashion trends and pop culture. While the entertainment industry rebooted franchises from decades gone by while pulling nostalgic heartstrings with homages to eras — as seen in the "Stranger Things" romp through the '80s — Pizza Hut was perhaps offering the ultimate old-school comeback as it expanded on Pizza Hut Classic locations. After first opening in Wichita, Kansas in 1958, Pizza Hut's expansion through the years left an indelible mark on communities across the country as red-roofed buildings that once housed arcade game playing teens and family pizza nights were repurposed for other uses. That isn't to say that the chain faltered, though some franchises struggled with bankruptcy. Rather, as it had been at the forefront of internet ordering and stuffed crust, Pizza Hut had endeavored to keep with the times and began abandoning dine-in locations long before pandemic had become a household word. Similarly, the restaurant chain was a leading innovator once again as neighborhoods were graced with Classic locations offering real plates and silverware at tables with red-checkered covers under vintage stained glass lighting fixtures. The chain also returned to its previous red roof logo. Of course, for those with an eye on the future, Pizza Hut had also launched Hut 'N Go locations offering self-service kiosks and contactless pick-up. Opened as Del's Sizzler Family Steak House in 1958, it wasn't long before the Culver City, California restaurant had grown into a nation-spanning chain known simply as Sizzler. Del and Helen Johnson had sought to provide a place for families to enjoy a night out without breaking the bank. So it was that the chain ballooned to over 100 locations within its first decade before it had even introduced its iconic salad bar. As had proven an albatross to many businesses — like Red Lobster's ultimate endless shrimp — an all-you-can eat buffet court marked a negative turning point for the business. From a height of over 270 locations, Sizzler found itself shuttering 136 restaurants by the mid-'90s with its first bankruptcy. A rebrand kept the business operating until 2020 when a COVID-19 bankruptcy lasted until 2023. Running with less than 80 locations, primarily in its home state of California, Sizzler's emergence brought with it an eye on nostalgia that included reenlisting Jodie Sweetin for a promotional throwback to her days on "Full House" when she'd previously starred in an ad for the steakhouse. Additionally, the chain had delved even deeper into its past and brought back Ribby the Rib-eye while it also introduced new plans for the salad bar to incorporate beverages, desserts, and all-you-can-eat wings. Franchising, mergers, and acquisitions brought considerable growth for what was once Smithies Pancake House in Cincinnati, Ohio. A year after its 1957 open, Matt and Ivan Perkins rebranded as Perkins Pancake House and began an expansion that would eventually see the acquisition of the Marie Callender's casual dining restaurants in 2006. Months before the COVID-19 pandemic became the central focus of everyday American life, the parent company of the American classic restaurant and bakery filed for bankruptcy. Not long after a Huddle House acquisition, the new parent company itself was acquired by Ascent Hospitality Management in 2020. While changing hands had seen the chain offering whole fresh baked pies expand to over 450 locations before downsizing to more than 250, Perkins had a number of strategies underway to get its eggs cracking anew. In addition to forming a catering partnership with eZCater, the chain saw fit to branch into the fast-casual market with Perkins Griddle & Go locations. As for its traditional restaurants, the opening of a location in Orlando, Florida in 2025 displayed the new banner of a fresh start as Perkins American Food Co. Harkening back to its roots as a Great Depression-era ice cream shop in Springfield, Massachusetts, the storied history of Friendly's is told a scoop at a time. In addition to selling its own brand of ice cream at its restaurants and retail locations, promotions for the popular east coast chain have often made dessert a focus. This included serving up deals like free meals for kids during select times with an accompanying cone head sundae. A sweet treat to complete a meal wasn't restricted to little ones whenever the Happy Ending Menu promotion resurfaced for a limited time, adding a complimentary sundae to any of the select offerings. Having once boasted around 500 locations, Friendly's had diminished to only 130 between franchised and corporate-owned restaurants when Amici Partners Group, LLC had made its 2021 acquisition. While the comeback effort included a bit more downsizing to little over 100 restaurants remaining as of 2025, remodels and a menu refresh were integral in plans to revive the chain to host even more celebrations centered around ice cream. In aiming to reinvigorate the more than 90-year-old burger chain Steak 'n Shake, Sardar Biglari, the chairman of Biglari Holdings, harkened back to the renaissance 13 years after acquiring the chain. As part of his 2021 letter to investors, the executive quoted renowned artist Michelangelo who had expressed a completed work is already "within the marble block... I just have to chisel away the superfluous material," per QSR. So it was that sloughing off locations and reimagining the experience at Steak 'n Shake restaurants was incorporated into its comeback. Founded in 1934 in Normal, Illinois, the chain had once exceeded a combined 600 locations between corporate-owned and franchised, but had closed more than 100 over a five-year period following franchise and employee classification lawsuits. Now, in keeping with the times, Steak 'n Shake had done away with waiting tables and instead shifted to kiosks and drive-thru's. Additionally, 2025 brought with it a decision to transition away from seed oils to instead use beef tallow — a savory alternative for butter — for frying. This came on top of a revolutionary move in payments by shifting to accept Bitcoin to tender sales. Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. 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