SHORT TAKES : Sister Defends Sly Stallone

Sylvester Stallone’s sister says it bothers her that people think the “Rocky” and “Rambo” star is dimwitted and self-absorbed.

“People think he is really a jerk,” ToniAn Stallone said in a taping of the “Geraldo” show that airs Friday. “It’s kind of sad in a way because he really struggles against that. I think, now that he’s getting older, he would like to be more respected.”

ToniAn Stallone said her brother went to college in Switzerland and attended the University of Miami. “I’m proud of him, and when I was little, growing up--there’s a big age difference between us--he was my hero,” she said.

Appearing with ToniAn Stallone on the show are Cher’s sister, Georganne LaPiere, Barbra Streisand’s sister, Roslyn Kind, and Jerry Hall’s sister, Rosy Hall.