He became a global superstar breaking ribs as Ivan Drago in “Rocky IV,” but action legend Dolph Lundgren is opening up about the real-life battles that almost knocked him out.

In his candid new memoir, “Fights Worth Fighting,” the martial artist and actor trades his tough-guy persona for vulnerability.

Lundgren recently sat down with Local 10’s Jason Carter to discuss the book.

Jason Carter: “You have lived an incredible life. Many call you an icon, and now you’re giving us a very unfiltered glimpse into your life. Why was now the time to write this book?

Dolph Lundgren: “Well, you know, when do you write a memoir? I suppose you have to be at a certain age. So you have done enough to fill out a book, which I think I had. In 2020, I had a cancer diagnosis that kind of shook up my whole life.”

JC: “We see you as this, this iconic superstar, hyper masculine muscle, Ivan Drago, He-Man, Rocky, you are jettisoning all of that and really getting very honest with your fans. What was it like for you to lay down those guards when you started writing and what was so therapeutic about that?”

DL: “Well, it started actually when I announced the cancer battle, which was in 2023. I spoke out about that and about my childhood when my dad, who was quite abusive towards me (and) my mom, I spoke out about that and it made me feel good. You know, you’re only as sick as your secrets, they say. And it wasn’t that difficult for me to talk about it. It made me feel good. It was therapeutic.”

JC: “Was there anything that you felt that was unfairly put on you, that now you have the opportunity to say, wait, hold on. That’s completely wrong.”

DL: “Bring you the bad news, but you know, we have to live in the moment. And that’s what I learned. That’s what I learned from this experience. And it was just amplified by what I’ve been through. So I think every day is a wonderful day.”

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