10 Famous Movie Characters You Didn't Know Were Based On Real People

You probably know that the Rocky franchised has a natural connection to the real boxing world. They've brought in actual fighters and sportscasters to round out the cast - including Tommy Morrison, Antonio Tarver, and Tony Bellew - and it's pretty obvious that Carl Weathers' trash-talking, extra exuberant Apollo Creed is based on Muhammad Ali.

But you might not know that Rocky Balboa is based on real life underdog Chuck Wepner, who once went 15 rounds with Ali in a title fight before losing by TKO with just 19 seconds left. And just like in the movie, Wepner was even able to score a knockdown on the champ. Though, unlike the movie, this was achieved by stepping on Ali's foot and tripping him.

Although his namesake and fighting style were derived from Rocky Marciano - with a little Joe Frazier and Jake LaMotta thrown in for good measure - Balboa's background and underdog personality were modeled entirely on Wepner, who was known as the "Bayonne Bleeder" because of all the punishment he took inside the ring.

Even Rocky's exhibition match against professional wrestler Thunderlips - played by a babyfaced Hulk Hogan - in Rocky III was based on a scripted fight Wepner had against Andre the Giant in 1976.