The Icons That Built America returns with a new episode, “Action Heroes,” airing on History on Sunday, June 30, 2024. The episode explores the story of a struggling New York actor who challenges traditional ideas of what a leading man should be.
The episode centers on certain New York actor called Sylvester Stallone who faces obstacles due to his appearance and a speech impediment. Instead of giving up, he takes a bold gamble on himself by writing and starring in his own movie. By doing so, he challenges the conventional notions of what constitutes a leading man, creating new opportunities for himself and others like him.
The Icons That Built America examines the lives and careers of influential performers, including daredevil Evel Knievel, martial artist and actor Bruce Lee, and comedian Richard Pryor. The series utilizes archival footage and personal accounts to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges these icons faced on their path to success.
The Icons That Built America: Action Heroes airs on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 10:03 p.m. on History.
