Bronze Rocky Statue, Philadelphia

One of the three existing copies of the Rocky Statue can be found on a pedestal situated in a grassy area near the base of the steps leading to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The other two copies are owned by Sylvester Stallone himself and are displayed at the Schomberg Studios Gallery in Denver, Colorado.

The original statue, crafted by sculptor A. Thomas Schomberg, stands at an impressive 10 feet (approximately 3 meters) in height and weighs a substantial 2 tons. It was initially placed on the Museum's steps briefly during the filming of Rocky III.

Following the release of the movie in 1982, a debate ensued between the Museum and the Art Commission of Philadelphia regarding the sculpture's artistic merit. City officials contended that it lacked the status of "art" and considered it more of a "movie prop." Consequently, the statue was relocated to the front of the Philadelphia Spectrum.

Subsequently, the Rocky statue returned to the Art Museum for the filming of Rocky V but was later moved back to the Spectrum. At some point during these transitions, it was replaced with a bronze inlay featuring footprints of Converse sneakers and the name "Rocky" above them.

In the year 2006, the Rocky statue was finally restored to its place at the Art Museum, where it remains today and is a popular spot for photographs. The unveiling ceremony, which took place on September 8, 2006, featured live music, the premiere of the first full trailer for Rocky Balboa, and a free screening of the original Rocky movie.