Sasha Czack was the first wife of Sylvester Stallone, one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars whose films have earned more than $7.5 billion worldwide. Their relationship began in the early 1970s, when both were working odd jobs, and later grew into a marriage that brought them two sons, Sage and Seargeoh.
Life as parents came with hardships. Sage died at the age of 36, while Seargeoh was diagnosed with autism at a young age. The challenges of raising their children weighed heavily on their marriage, and after a decade together, they divorced.
Here’s a look at where Stallone’s ex-wife, Sasha Czack, is today, along with what’s known about her career and personal life.
Sasha and Sylvester First Met in New York
Stallone met his future wife, Czack, in New York City during the early days of his career. At the time, they shared a small apartment there while she pursued acting and supported them by working as a waitress. Stallone picked up whatever work he could find, from cleaning at a zoo to working as a theater usher.
When Did They Marry?
Sylvester and Sasha married on December 28, 1974. In the years that followed, Czack often spent time in the art world with Andy Warhol, while Stallone became a familiar face at New York’s famed Studio 54.
The former duo went on to have two sons together, Sage and Seargeoh.
Their First Son, Sage Stallone
Czack and Stallone welcomed their first son, Sage Moonblood Stallone, on May 5, 1976, in Los Angeles.
He attended Montclair College Preparatory School in Van Nuys, California, graduating in 1993, and later spent a year studying filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Sage began acting while still young, making his debut alongside his father in Rocky V (1990) as Robert Balboa Jr., the onscreen son of Sylvester Stallone’s character. His final work included appearances in Vincent Gallo’s films Promises Written in Water and The Agent.
Tragically, on July 13, 2012, Sage was found dead at his home in Studio City, Los Angeles, at the age of 36. The cause of death was later confirmed as heart disease.
Their Second Son, Seargeoh Stallone
Stallone and Sasha Czack’s second son, Seargeoh Stallone, was born on May 17, 1979, in Los Angeles. At the age of three, he was diagnosed with autism, leading him to live a life largely away from public attention.
The diagnosis was a heavy blow for both parents. Czack later shared that they were devastated, but they refused advice to place Seargeoh in an institution.
Stallone admitted their relationship was different from that of a typical father and son, telling People magazine, “There is no real father-and-son thing there… I have to become his playmate. With a child like this, you have to put your ego away.”
His demanding career often kept him away, leaving his first spouse, Czack, to take on much of the daily care, but he supported in other ways — funding research and using his movie premieres to host autism-related fundraisers.
In 1985, Stallone and Czack created a research fund under the National Society for Children and Adults With Autism. “Sasha does the hard, in-the-trenches warfare,” Stallone told People in a 1985 cover story. “I use my films to have premieres that raise money for the fund.”
The Couple Divorced in 1985
After more than a decade of marriage, Stallone and his first wife, Czack, divorced on February 14, 1985.
Sources reported that Stallone’s demanding career and the strain of coping with their son Seargeoh’s autism had created distance between them.
The Rocky star called the diagnosis a turning point in their marriage, explaining, “[Czack’s] dreams and aspirations have been rechanneled into dedicated research. She is a driven person in that area. All of her priorities are geared toward finding a cure. There is no fun in the future that way.”
At the time of the split, Stallone’s spokesman, Paul Block, spoke on behalf of both, emphasizing that there were no hard feelings despite the end of the marriage. He said they were “grateful for the 10 years we have had together” and intended to “remain good friends dedicated to our sons… even though we will no longer be husband and wife.”
Following the divorce filing, Czack sought custody of Sage and Seargeoh, with Stallone to have visitation rights. Both children were living with her at the family home when proceedings began.
Czack Later Remarried to Her Second Husband
After her divorce from Sylvester Stallone, Sasha Czack remarried, this time to sound engineer Rick Ash. Known for his extensive work as a re-recording mixer, Ash has 245 credits in film and television, along with three Primetime Emmy Awards and 19 nominations.
That marriage eventually ended as well, and Sasha is now reportedly living in Pennsylvania.
Stallone also moved on, marrying model and actress Brigitte Nielsen on December 15, 1985, in Beverly Hills, California. Their highly publicized union lasted just two years.
In 1997, he wed his third wife, Jennifer Flavin, and the two have since built a family together, raising three daughters — Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet.
How Old Is Sasha Czack Now?
She is 75 years old. Czack was born on July 17, 1950, in Chester, Pennsylvania, and later attended the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a degree in media studies.
She Worked as a Photographer and Director
Throughout her career, Czack took on roles both behind and in front of the camera. She was the lead still photographer and co-writer for Rocky (1976), though union rules at the time kept her from receiving official credit.
Earlier, she appeared in the television series Love of Life and was offered the lead role in Play It as It Lays (1972). After a successful screen test, director Frank Perry selected her for the part, but her then-fiancé, Stallone, asked her to remain in New York to help him type screenplays, including what would become Rocky.
Life changed after the birth of their second son, Seargeoh, who was diagnosed with autism. Czack stepped away from her career to focus on his care and became actively involved with autism-related causes. She later returned briefly to the screen in the 2006 short film Vic, playing the role of Lilly and working as the film’s still photographer.
