‘Tulsa King’ Casting Company Quits After Sylvester Stallone Accused Of Disparaging Background Actors

Sylvester Stallone

An Atlanta-based casting company has withdrawn from working on Tulsa King following allegations that Sylvester Stallone and a director made disparaging remarks about background actors on the Paramount+ drama.

Rose Locke Casting of Atlanta was tasked with finding actors aged 18 and over for the second season of the Taylor Sheridan series. However, issues arose when some background actors claimed that Stallone and an unnamed director referred to them using derogatory terms such as “ugly,” “tub of lard,” and “fat guy with cane.” The recipient of the latter comment expressed feeling deeply hurt by such language used on set. Stallone allegedly also suggested bringing in “pretty young girls” instead.

On Sunday, Rose Locke Casting announced on its Facebook page that it was parting ways with Tulsa King, thanking the background artists for their support.

However, Tulsa King EP and Director Craig Zisk told TMZ that no insults were directed at the extras, although he mentioned that Locke brought in older background actors for a scene set in a hip bar, where younger actors were expected. Zisk also clarified that Stallone’s wife, Jennifer Flavin, was present during filming, and Stallone did not request “pretty girls” around him.

Zisk added that he asked Locke for headshots of the extras, but she declined, leading to her quitting an hour later.

Locke urged her clients to report any negative experiences from Tulsa King’s “toxic” set. These messages, along with complaints about Stallone’s behavior, were shared on social media.

The allegations have sparked discussions among various Facebook groups for background actors, with some expressing disappointment about the reported unprofessionalism on set.

Tulsa King centers on New York mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi (Stallone) as he sets up a criminal empire in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The show's creator/executive producer is Taylor Sheridan, with Craig Zisk as producing director for Season 2. The series is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios.