Sylvester Stallone earns SAG-AFTRA response over claims he created 'toxic' ... trends now

The actors union SAG-AFTRA has weighed in after Sylvester Stallone was accused of insulting background actors on the set of his popular Paramount+ series Tulsa King earlier this week.

The union — which ended its strike against major Hollywood studios in November — noted that 'disparaging comments' directed at background actors would not be permitted, via a statement.

Stallone, 77, was accused of mocking extras on the show's set in Atlanta, Georgia, over their weight and appearance, as well as one actor's use of a cane.

However, the director that Stallone allegedly complained to on set has denied the accusations.

In its statement, a spokesperson for SAG-AFTRA stated: 'There is no room on any set for disparaging comments to background actors or any performers.'

Although the union clarified that it had 'not been contacted directly' about Stallone's alleged behavior on set in Atlanta, it stated that 'SAG-AFTRA is committed to the safety and well being of cast members on all productions.'

It's unclear what steps the union might take — if any — as it also clarified that 'the Union’s TV/Theatrical agreements do not cover background actors' in Atlanta, though there are some instances in which the union does represent extra, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

'We are here to support with guidance if requested,' the statement concluded. 

In Tulsa King, the Rocky actor, 77, stars as mafia capo Dwight 'The General' Mandfredi, who just got out of prison after serving a 25-year stretch. He is exiled to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he builds a new criminal empire with a group of unlikely characters.

The show's second season is currently filming in Atlanta, with the claims against Stallone emerging in a since-deleted X post from April 8 by TV writer Julie Benson which read: 'Got this disturbing news from my Atlanta friend who’s background on Tulsa King this wk. 

'Casting agent quit because she was so disgusted. My friend is feeling anxious about working now.@TheSlyStallone what do you have to say for yourself, sir? Beyond disappointed, I’m livid.'

Rose Locke, a casting director on Tulsa King, had quit the series. 

The post included screenshots of a Facebook post which claim Stallone was heard saying to the show’s director Craig Zisk: 'What the F*** is happening with these F****** ugly background' - referring to the extras in a scene. 

The post continued: '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.

The post further alleged 'Sly said, "Bring in pretty young girls to be around me."'

Another background actor claimed on the CL Casting Facebook page: 'I was there, right behind Mr. Stallone. He shouted to the director to come over here. Lot’s of F bombs dropped. 

'Stallone was very upset with the look of the background actors. Said they were hideous and old and fat. Next thing, people are being told to go back to holding and younger people were brought in.'

The Facebook post said Locke has resigned from the show and that background actors 'all need to stand together' in order to 'show this production we don’t support this kind of disrespect in GA.'

Another screenshot was of an email allegedly from Locke in which she wrote she had gone to the set after being 'informed of certain things.'

 'At the end of the day I resigned because it was a clear toxic environment that I was not comfortable putting myself or background artists in.'

She apologized to the recipients of the email and added her number to gather information about anything people 'saw or heard. I will be sending the info to HR.'