Dolph Lundgren is a renowned Swedish actor, director, and martial artist who is arguably
one of our greatest action stars of all time.
In a career spanning almost 4 decades, he’s become one of our favorite action stars – whether
hero or villain on screen.
He’s starred in an eclectic range of movies, from the iconic "Rocky IV" to the "Expendables"
franchise among many others.
But like every star, he’s had his challenges which have set hurdles to his life and career
In May 2023, he recently revealed his long battle with cancer and how that has affected
his career.
He’s also had troubles with Sylvester Stallone, one of his former co-stars, and has come under
flak due to his current romantic relationship.
Nevertheless, no matter what the challenge, Dolph Lundgren persists.
Rocky IV Star Reveals His Secret 8-Year Cancer Battle.
Join FactsVerse to learn more…
ROCKY IV STAR REVEALS HIS SECRET 8-YEAR CANCER
BATTLE
In May 2023, action movie star Dolph Lundgren revealed his eight-year battle with cancer.
The news came as a shock to those in the entertainment industry as well as scores of his fans.
Yet, despite this shocking revelation – it seems that Dolph Lundgren is showing no signs
of slowing down.
As of now, he’s got at least 7 upcoming film projects!
He’s stated that he has been battling kidney cancer for 8 years and was initially told
he’d only have 2 or 3 years to live.
He also believes that steroid use may have caused his cancer.
Lundgren's diagnosis came eight years ago when doctors discovered a tumor in his kidney
that had also spread to his liver.
The news was undoubtedly devastating, but instead of succumbing to despair, Lundgren
made a conscious decision to fight.
It’s clear that he’s not just a tough guy when he has a script and the cameras are
rolling.
After all, before he became an actor – the man was literally a bodyguard!
One of the most remarkable aspects of Dolph Lundgren's story is his unwavering positive
mindset.
Despite the immense challenges he faced, he remained optimistic and focused on the future.
He used his own experiences to raise awareness about cancer and became an advocate for early
detection and regular screenings.
Dolph Lundgren's positive attitude serves as a powerful reminder that maintaining a
hopeful outlook can make a significant difference in the healing process.
His story is a reminder that celebrities, too, are susceptible to the challenges of
life, and his vulnerability has fostered a sense of connection and empathy among his
fans.
Dolph Lundgren's battle with cancer is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
His ability to confront adversity with unwavering determination serves as an inspiration to
us all.
Lundgren's story teaches us that no matter how daunting the challenges may be, it is
our courage, positive mindset, and the support of loved ones that can carry us through the
darkest times.
As we said earlier, he’s showing no signs of slowing down and we’re still going to
see him in many films.
One of them is a spinoff called Drago about the character he played in Rocky IV, Ivan
Drago.
Many fans of the film and the character are eagerly awaiting this film.
However, there’s one former co-star who isn’t too happy.
STALLONE AND LUNDGREN – BALBOA AND DRAGO
Sylvester Stallone isn’t too happy with the upcoming film Drago and has even labeled
the producers of this upcoming film as ‘parasites.’
Sylvester Stallone, as we all know, wrote the screenplay for the original Rocky film
and he created the entire universe and characters.
However, he does not currently own the rights to the franchise and doesn’t profit off
his intellectual property.
He’s been in a long battle to try to win rights to the franchise.
As a result, he was unhappy that a new spinoff film from the franchise was going to be made
since it was done without his permission and to no gain of his.
He slammed the producers but also his former co-star Dolph Lundgren.
Due to not owning any stake in the Rocky franchise, Sylvester Stallone won’t be able to leave
this valuable asset to his children.
His anger was directed toward the producer Irvin Winkler but to Dolph Lundgren as well
whom he felt had stabbed him in the back.
This isn’t the first time that the two of them had clashed.
In fact, on the set of The Expendables, the two of them had an argument when Dolph Lundgren
felt that Sylvester Stallone was being rude to him.
They exchange verbal blows on set and it almost came to physical blows again.
We’d see Balboa versus Drago again on the set of a completely different film!
One wonders what will happen when Drago gets released and the ongoing battle for Sylvester
Stallone’s rights on the entire franchise.
Nevertheless, despite the setbacks and occasional fights, Dolph Lundgren has stated that he
has immense respect for Sylvester Stallone and that the two are still friends.
Though clearly, Sylvester Stallone has been deeply hurt that his frequent co-star has
starred in Drago and is therefore supporting Irvin Winkler.
DOLPH LUNDGREN’S RELATIONSHIP
Dolph Lundgren recently made headlines for his engagement to Emma Krokdal, a woman nearly
30 years younger than him.
While he may be thrilled about his upcoming wedding, the news has sparked some controversy
and ridicule in the media.
Several news outlets have criticized the actor for his age difference with Krokdal, with
some going as far as to call the engagement "creepy" and "disgusting."
But, one of the well-wishers was actually Sylvester Stallone – who wished Dolph Lundgren
and his fiancé all the best.
Nevertheless, many have criticized the action star due to the age gap he has with Emma Krokdal.
While there are certainly examples of successful relationships between partners with significant
age differences, there is still a pervasive belief that such relationships are inherently
problematic or exploitative.
Nevertheless, the two of them have been in love for some time and have a lot in common.
The actor has always been into fitness and his fiancé is also a personal trainer.
Previously, he’s been linked to many high-profile women, including the singer Grace Jones who
he served as a bodyguard for – before and during their relationship of course!
He married the jewelry designer Annete Qviberg in 1994.
They were married for 17 years and they have 2 daughters together.
He has defended his relationship with Krokdal and stated that he didn’t actively seek
to marry someone younger than him.
He just fell in love and that was that.
And we should respect that.
DOLPH LUNDGREN’S LIFE AND CAREER
Let’s wrap up by looking back at Dolph Lundgren’s life and some of his best works.
He has had almost 40 years in this industry and despite his current battle with cancer,
he’s going to keep working for a long time.
One of his most iconic roles was, of course, in the 1985 film "Rocky IV."
We’ve discussed the film and the role a few times in this video, now let’s explore
it further.
In "Rocky IV," Dolph Lundgren played Ivan Drago.
Ivan Drago is a Soviet boxer who is brought to America to fight Rocky Balboa.
While Rocky has many formidable opponents throughout the franchise, Ivan Drago is often
regarded as one of the most popular characters from the franchise.
Dolph Lundgren's portrayal of Drago is still highly regarded to this day.
He brought a sense of menace and intensity to the character, with his icy blue eyes and
chiseled physique.
He was also able to convey a surprising amount of depth, showcasing the character's vulnerability
and inner turmoil as the fight progresses.
For some, it made a Soviet character formidable.
For others, his portrayal made it seem insulting to the Russian people.
"Rocky IV" is widely regarded as one of the best films in the Rocky franchise, and Lundgren's
performance as Ivan Drago is a major reason for that.
But of course, "Rocky IV" is far from his only great film.
He has also appeared in a number of other action movies over the years, including "The
Punisher," "Universal Soldier," and "The Expendables" franchise.
In "The Punisher," Lundgren played the titular character, a vigilante seeking revenge against
the criminal underworld that killed his family.
The film was praised for its dark, gritty tone, and Lundgren's performance as Frank
Castle was lauded for its intensity and emotional depth.
In "Universal Soldier," Lundgren played a genetically enhanced soldier who goes rogue
and becomes a deadly threat to society.
His performance in the film was notable for its physicality and aggression, with Lundgren
showcasing his skills as a martial artist and stunt performer.
In the "Expendables" franchise, Lundgren played Gunner Jensen, a member of a team of elite
mercenaries.
The films were known for their over-the-top action sequences and star-studded cast, and
Lundgren's presence added a sense of gravitas and intensity to the proceedings.
He’s also gained critical acclaim for his roles in films such as Aquaman, The Tracker,
Acceleration, Hard Night Falling, Section 8, The Best Man, War Pigs, Missionary Man,
Diamond Dogs, Fat Slags, Johnny Mnemonic, Joshua Tree, Dark Angel, Masters of the Universe,
and his first role in the James Bond film, A View To A Kill.
With at least 7 more projects underway, we’ll have to see what else Dolph Lundgren has in
store for us.
Whatever it’ll be, we’re sure it’ll pack a punch!
Are you a fan of Dolph Lundgren?
What do you think about his incredible strength and his desire to continue acting despite
his cancer diagnosis?
In fact, here’s what we’d like to hear from you:
Do you think that there are action stars today who are on the same level as he was?
Or is the Golden Age of great action stars completely go