'Rocky' Star Dolph Lundgren Opens Up About Marriage and Health Battle

Actor Dolph Lundgren, best known for his role in the “Rocky” franchise, recently tied the knot with his wife, Emma Krokdal, in July. The 65-year-old star shared his happiness in an interview with Fox News Digital, expressing how relaxed and content he feels in his new marriage. Lundgren described his wife as a smart, inspiring person and expressed gratitude for having her in his life as he gets older.

The couple jetted off to Greece for their wedding, accompanied by Lundgren's two daughters from his previous marriage. On Instagram, Lundgren's daughter Ida shared glimpses of the intimate celebration, featuring a photo of the couple wearing wedding rings and beaming with joy. Lundgren, donning all white, held a cigar in his mouth while pointing to Krokdal, who lovingly gazed at him. The post was accompanied by heart and wedding chapel emojis, showcasing the couple's happiness.

This is Lundgren's third marriage, having previously been married to Perri Momm in 1991 for one year, and then to interior designer Anette Qviberg from 1994 to 2011, with whom he shares his two daughters. Lundgren has addressed the significant age difference between himself and Krokdal, acknowledging that she is very mature for her age. He described her as an angel sent to help him, emphasizing her wisdom and experiences at a young age.

In addition to celebrating his marriage, Lundgren also shared positive news about his health. In May, he revealed that he had been privately battling cancer for the past eight years. However, he recently received a clean bill of health, stating that there is no sign of cancer and that his blood tests have been clear. Lundgren acknowledged that he will likely always need some form of treatment and monitoring but expressed gratitude for being able to live a normal life now. He reflected on the life-changing experience of facing his mortality and the contrast to his current state of health.

In his professional life, Lundgren recently collaborated with Zaxby's to recreate an iconic scene from the “Rocky” franchise. The advertisement features Lundgren returning to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where the character Rocky Balboa famously trained. Lundgren, holding a Zaxby's Fried Chicken Philly, recreates the iconic move of raising both arms and exclaims, "Finally, Philly done right." The collaboration allowed Lundgren to revisit his memories of filming “Rocky IV” with Sylvester Stallone, where he underwent intense training for his role as Ivan Drago.

Lundgren reminisced about his training with Stallone, describing it as rigorous and rewarding. The two actors became friends during the process, bonding over their shared upbringing and love for athletic pursuits. Lundgren was impressed by Stallone's ability to keep up with the intensive training despite being ten years older. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have such an iconic physique in the film, as it is rare to see characters depicted with real physicality rather than relying on visual effects.

The actor also addressed the controversy surrounding a potential “Drago” spinoff. Lundgren confirmed that the project is still in development, despite initial criticism from Stallone. He revealed that a script had been written but deemed inadequate, leading to the search for a new writer. Lundgren expressed hope that Stallone would eventually get involved, and he predicted that the spinoff would likely be released in late 2024 or 2025, depending on filming schedules.

Overall, Lundgren's life has seen significant milestones and challenges recently. From a joyful wedding and newfound marital bliss to battling cancer and revisiting his iconic role in the “Rocky” franchise, the actor remains resilient and grateful for the opportunities life has presented him.