Sylvester Stallone Reportedly Earns More Than Kevin Costner — Inside His Record-Breaking ‘Tulsa King’ Season 3 Salary

He’s one of Hollywood’s most iconic tough guys — a living legend whose name is synonymous with grit, glory, and the underdog spirit.

But now, at 79 years old, Sylvester Stallone is proving that age is no barrier to power — or paychecks.

According to multiple industry insiders, the Rocky and Rambo star is reportedly earning more per episode on Season 3 of Tulsa King than Kevin Costner ever did on Yellowstone, setting a new benchmark for television salaries.

In a twist few saw coming, Stallone — the cinematic boxer who once had to sell his dog to survive — has now punched his way to the top of the TV salary ranks, with a figure so massive that even Hollywood veterans are calling it “record-shattering.

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Here’s an inside look at how much Stallone is making, how he negotiated one of the richest deals in television history, and what this means for his legacy in the streaming era.

The Paycheck That Stunned Hollywood

When Tulsa King premiered in 2022 on Paramount+, it marked Stallone’s first-ever leading role in a television series.

Fans flocked to the show, which follows Dwight “The General” Manfredi — a New York mob boss exiled to Oklahoma — blending crime drama, dark comedy, and Stallone’s signature swagger.

The show was an instant hit.

But as it grew in popularity, so did Stallone’s paycheck.

According to reports from Variety and industry insiders, Stallone is earning a jaw-dropping $2.

5 million per episode for Tulsa King Season 3 — surpassing Kevin Costner’s peak Yellowstone salary of $1.

2 million per episode.

With ten episodes planned for the upcoming season, that means Stallone stands to make around $25 million — and that’s before factoring in producer fees, bonuses, and backend profits from international streaming rights.

If confirmed, this would make him the highest-paid actor in television history, dethroning both Costner and Jennifer Aniston, who earned $2 million per episode for The Morning Show.

The Secret Behind Stallone’s Mega Deal

So how did Stallone secure such an astronomical payday? The answer lies in power, timing, and loyalty — and one name: Taylor Sheridan.

Sheridan, the creative mastermind behind Yellowstone, 1883, Mayor of Kingstown, and Tulsa King, has built a television empire unlike anything Hollywood has seen in decades.

His partnership with Paramount has generated billions in revenue — and when Stallone joined his universe, it was a match made in cowboy heaven.

From the very beginning, Sheridan knew Stallone’s involvement would give Tulsa King instant credibility.

The veteran actor’s global appeal and decades-long fan base turned the series into a must-watch event.

So, when Season 3 negotiations began, Stallone had all the leverage he needed.

“Taylor knows Stallone isn’t just an actor — he’s a brand,” said one Paramount insider.

“His name sells the show.

The numbers back it up.

When you’re the reason millions of people subscribe to a streaming platform, you don’t ask for more money — you demand it.

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And Stallone got it.

Why Stallone’s Deal Surpassed Kevin Costner’s

On paper, Stallone and Costner’s careers follow eerily similar paths — two aging Hollywood icons who reinvented themselves through gritty, character-driven television dramas under Taylor Sheridan’s creative umbrella.

But the key difference, according to insiders, lies in control.

While Costner’s time on Yellowstone ended in a messy standoff over scheduling conflicts and creative disputes, Stallone’s relationship with Sheridan has been far smoother.

The two men reportedly share a deep respect for each other’s artistic process — and Stallone’s willingness to go “all in” on Tulsa King gave him a financial edge.

Where Costner split his focus between Yellowstone and his passion project Horizon, Stallone has made Tulsa King his top priority — and Sheridan rewarded that commitment.

“He’s 100% dedicated,” said another source close to the production.

“He’s on set early, he does rewrites, he mentors younger actors — he’s a leader.

That kind of dedication is priceless.

Taylor wanted to keep him happy, and Paramount was willing to pay whatever it took.

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A New Record for Television Salaries

If Stallone’s reported salary of $2.

5 million per episode holds, it places him firmly at the top of television’s financial pyramid.

For context:

Kevin Costner (Yellowstone): $1.

2 million per episode

Jennifer Aniston & Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show): $2 million per episode

Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That.

.

.

): $3.

2 million per episode (including producing fees and residuals)

Sylvester Stallone (Tulsa King): $2.

5 million per episode — plus backend participation

That backend deal is key.

Stallone reportedly receives a share of Tulsa King’s global streaming profits — meaning every new subscriber drawn to Paramount+ by his name adds to his growing fortune.

How Much Is Stallone Worth in 2025?

As of 2025, Sylvester Stallone’s net worth is estimated at $450 million, fueled by decades of box office success, business ventures, and now, his historic Tulsa King contract.

His fortune includes:

$300 million from film earnings (Rocky, Rambo, The Expendables, and more)

$25 million from Tulsa King Season 3 alone

Multiple luxury properties, including his $58 million Beverly Hills mansion (sold to Adele) and his $35 million Palm Beach estate

Investment in Balboa Productions, his film and TV company, which co-produces Tulsa King and other upcoming projects

In short, Stallone isn’t just acting — he’s building an empire.

‘Tulsa King’ Season 3: Bigger, Bolder, and Bloodier

With Stallone’s record-breaking deal locked in, Tulsa King Season 3 is shaping up to be the most ambitious yet.

Sources close to production tease a darker tone, higher stakes, and more brutal confrontations as Dwight Manfredi’s empire expands beyond Tulsa.

Stallone himself has hinted that this might be his final season as “The General,” telling reporters, “You’ll see a side of him you’ve never seen before — a man at war with himself, and everyone around him.

If this is my last ride on TV, I’m going out swinging.

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Fans are already buzzing about what’s next — and Paramount is reportedly planning spin-offs to expand the Tulsa King universe, much like Yellowstone did with its prequels 1883 and 1923.

A Legacy Written in Fire and Fortune

From the underdog who once couldn’t afford rent to the titan commanding millions per episode, Sylvester Stallone’s story remains one of Hollywood’s most extraordinary journeys.

His latest triumph — becoming the highest-paid actor on television — is more than just a financial milestone.

It’s poetic justice for a man who built his empire one punch, one screenplay, and one risk at a time.

As Tulsa King prepares to return, Stallone’s words from his Rocky days ring truer than ever: “It ain’t about how hard you hit — it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.

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And with $2.

5 million an episode, Stallone is not just moving forward — he’s racing ahead of everyone.

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