This Turtle Survived 50 Years in Hollywood — The Untold Story Behind Its Legendary Life

In a town where careers can end overnight and yesterday’s stars become tomorrow’s trivia answers, two unlikely celebrities have quietly outlasted them all.

Meet Cuff and Link, the red-eared slider turtles who first appeared as Rocky Balboa’s beloved pets in the 1976 boxing classic that launched a franchise—and who are still swimming strong nearly five decades later.

From Pet Shop to Picture Show

Most movie props get tossed in storage or auctioned off to collectors. But these two turtles became something rarer: genuine Hollywood icons with staying power that would make any A-lister envious.

When Sylvester Stallone wrote Rocky on a shoestring budget, he needed pets for his underdog boxer character. Enter Cuff and Link, two young red-eared sliders who would unknowingly sign up for the longest contracts in entertainment history.

The turtles’ journey to stardom began at a Philadelphia pet shop, where they caught the attention of the Rocky production team. Little did anyone know they were witnessing the start of a Hollywood dynasty that would span generations.

The Ultimate Comeback Story

While Rocky spawned numerous sequels, Cuff and Link disappeared from the spotlight for decades. Then came 2018 and Creed II, the latest installment in the Rocky saga.

In a move that delighted longtime fans, the filmmakers tracked down the original turtles for what amounted to the most heartwarming comeback in cinema history. Same turtles, just older shells.

Stallone himself confirmed their return on social media, posting photos with his old co-stars and noting they were “about 44 years old” at the time. That puts them at roughly 49-50 years old today—ancient by Hollywood standards, but perfectly normal for red-eared sliders receiving proper care.

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The Mystery of the Caretakers

Here’s where the story gets interesting. While some outlets credit Stallone with keeping the turtles all these years, others point to Joseph Marks and his nephew John “Red” Stuart from the original Philadelphia pet shop as their long-term caretakers.

The truth likely involves both parties, with Stallone reuniting with his original co-stars for Creed II while acknowledging the dedicated care they received from their Philadelphia guardians.

This dual narrative actually makes the story more compelling—it shows how a community of people can come together to preserve a piece of cinema history, even when that history has shells and swims in a tank.

Why This Matters Beyond Hollywood

Cuff and Link’s longevity tells us something important about red-eared sliders as pets. These reptiles can live for many decades when given proper care, with 40-plus years being entirely normal for well-maintained sliders.

Their story serves as both entertainment trivia and a real-world example of the commitment required for turtle ownership.

In an industry obsessed with reboots and revivals, these turtles have outlasted trends, box office cycles, and multiple generations of moviegoers. They’ve become living bridges between the original Rocky era and today’s Creed franchise, carrying forward a tangible connection to cinema history.

The Quiet Stars

Unlike their human co-stars, Cuff and Link never demanded top billing or threw tantrums on set. They simply showed up, did their job, and somehow became the most enduring performers in the entire Rocky universe.

They’ve survived the transition from film to digital, from the 1970s underdog story to today’s legacy sequels.

As Hollywood continues its endless cycle of remakes and reboots, Cuff and Link remind us that some stories—and some stars—have genuine staying power.

They may not have won any Academy Awards, but they’ve achieved something perhaps more impressive: they’ve remained relevant and beloved across five decades of rapidly changing entertainment landscape.

In a town built on the temporary, these two turtles have proven that sometimes the most unlikely stars shine the longest.

At nearly 50 years old, Cuff and Link aren’t just movie props—they’re living legends who continue to inspire new generations of Rocky fans, one slow-and-steady step at a time.

Next time you watch Rocky or Creed II, take a moment to appreciate these remarkable reptilian performers. In their quiet way, they’ve mastered the ultimate Hollywood trick: staying power.