Tetchie Agbayani Discloses She Turned Down ‘Rambo 2’ W/ Sylvester Stallone
TETCHIE AGBAYANO – Filipina veteran actress Tetchie Agbayani revealed the reason why she turned down ‘Rambo 2’ with Sylvester Stallone.
Actress Tetchie Agbayani reflected on her career, recounting her experiences auditioning for and considering roles in international films, such as “Rambo: First Blood Part II,” which she ultimately declined despite completing a screen test with Sylvester Stallone.
Agbayani discussed these moments in an interview with broadcaster Julius Babao for his YouTube series “Julius Babao Unplugged,” with the second part released on June 11 last year.
Tetchie Agbayani recalled her move to Los Angeles after appearing in the German edition of Playboy in 1982, becoming the first and only Filipina to do so at the time. After trying out various Filipino movies and attempting studies at UCLA while exploring non-entertainment jobs, Agbayani was encouraged by a friend to pursue acting. This led her to meet talent agent J.J. Harris, who represented major stars like Kevin Costner, Kurt Russell, and Michael J. Fox.
Harris facilitated Agbayani’s roles in films such as “The Emerald Forest,” “Gymkata,” and “The Money Pit,” where she played Tom Hanks’ character’s stepmother, despite not sharing scenes with him.
Later on, Harris suggested Agbayani audition for “Rambo: First Blood Part II,” which was initially planned to shoot in the Philippines. She competed with Julia Nickson for the role of Vietnamese intelligence agent Co Phuong Bao, and they made a bet that the winner would treat the other to a lavish dinner.
Agbayani underwent a screen test with Stallone and was subsequently offered the role. However, due to logistical reasons, the filming location was moved to Mexico instead of the Philippines. Despite Harris’s encouragement, Agbayani declined the role, expressing her reluctance to shoot in Mexico after just returning from the jungles of the Amazon.
Nickson ultimately got the part, and years later, Agbayani encountered her at an airport. They humorously reminisced about their bet and Agbayani suggested they keep the anecdote alive rather than dine together.
When asked if she regretted turning down the “Rambo” role and potentially altering her career path, Agbayani emphasized that she harbors no such regrets. She viewed life as an adventure, expressing contentment with her choices and highlighting the importance of personal growth, family, and diverse life experiences beyond acting.
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