Sylvester Stallone Accused Of Mocking Actors’ Weight & Disabilities On The Set Of ‘Tulsa King’

SAG-AFTRA, the prominent actors’ union, is reviewing the allegations surrounding Sylvester Stallone, the star of the Paramount+ show Tulsa King, for allegedly mocking of background actors’ appearances on the Atlanta set.

In response to the growing controversy, a spokesperson for the union issued a statement, “There is no room on any set for disparaging comments to background actors or any performers. Though we have not been contacted directly about the incident on set of Tulsa King in Atlanta, SAG-AFTRA is committed to the safety and well-being of cast members on all productions.”

In some cases, SAG-AFTRA does represent background actors, though in Atlanta, “the Union’s TV/Theatrical agreements do not cover background actors,” the spokesperson stated. “We are here to support with guidance if requested.”

On Monday, casting agency Catrett Locke Casting announced on Facebook that they had decided to sever ties with Tulsa King amidst online claims about the mistreatment of background actors in the production of the Paramount+ show. Screenshots shared to X by a non-affiliated writer on Tuesday showed casting director Rose Locke stating that she quit the show after she observed a “clear toxic environment” on set that made her uncomfortable, both for herself and the background artists. 

A screenshot allegedly shared by a Facebook group moderator stated, “While working on TK this week, Sylvester Stallone was observed calling the director over and saying ‘what the F* is up with these F**** ugly background [actors].’ He and the director proceeded to call certain people terrible names and laughed at them. ‘Tub of lard,’ ‘fat guy with cane’ and was making fun of their weight and handicaps. Sly said, ‘Bring in pretty young girls to be around me.'”

A background actor who claimed to be present on the set affirmed some of the allegations on the Catrett Locke Casting Facebook page. They recounted Stallone’s dissatisfaction with the appearance of the background actors, stating that he referred to them as “hideous,” “old” and “fat.” Subsequently, the actor reported that younger individuals were brought in to replace them.

The shoot’s director, Craig Zisk, has denied these allegations and asserted that Locke did not cast the type of young background actors the show required. Zisk said that he ultimately used the actors for the scene, and they conducted themselves professionally and courteously. The director mentioned that he later requested Locke submit photos of background actors, after which she resigned. The show’s 101 Studios producers have confirmed that they are investigating the claims.

Thomas Mooneyham, a background actor on Tulsa King, came forward on Wednesday to share his experience with Deadline. Mooneyham, who uses a cane, disclosed that he was asked to leave a bar scene so that two other actors could replace him. He expressed his belief that some of the alleged comments were directed at him, as Stallone glanced at him occasionally and laughed with someone he presumed to be the director. Although he did not hear the comments directly, he later read about them on a private Facebook page.

“What bothers me is that somebody overheard him and the director,” Mooneyham told Deadline. “It ain’t even the part that I am fat. I wasn’t the only big one that was there. But I do feel like I was singled out because they said, ‘old tub of lard with the cane.’ I was the only one there with the cane.”

The second season of Tulsa King is now filming in Atlanta and Oklahoma, following the success of its debut season on Paramount+.

Last year, Stallone went through a divorce drama after his long-time wife, Jennifer Flavin, filed for divorce. She later withdrew the filing.