The Italian Stallion (1970)

Even the biggest names in Hollywood have to start somewhere. For Magic Mike (2012) star Channing Tatum, it was as an exotic dancer. Jon Hamm served up his ham-boner in porn videos prior to being cast as Don Draper on Mad Men (2007-2015). Similarly, Matt LeBlanc popped up on two episodes of The Red Shoe Diaries in 1992 and 1993 right before becoming Joey on Friends (1994-2004). Last but not least, there’s Sylvester Stallone. Before creating his breakout role in the Oscar-winning flick Rocky (1976), the emerging actor was known among casting directors and discerning cineastes to be brazenly cocky. The proof is in the pudding when watching the future superstar’s performance in The Italian Stallion (1970). Stallone’s character is known simply and definitively as Stud, a moniker derived from the movie’s original title Party at Kitty and Stud’s. The plot complexities are easily summed up: Stud has sex with his girlfriend Kitty (Henrietta Holm). As such, we can see his abs, ass, sack and shaft in action! If that’s not arousing enough, two women come over. Since they’re eager to party, Stud favors each of them! This feat of masculine endurance must certainly have planted a seed for Sly’s future displays of two-fisted resolve on an epic scale. “Yo Rocky, is that your salami?” There’s more bun than sausage here, but the shots of Sylvester’s muscular backside and swinging balls are many and memorable. Plus, his spicy meat makes a couple of appearances in the title bout. Talk about a knockout!