The world of cinema is in mourning as it bids farewell to Carl Weathers, a revered actor best known for his portrayal of Apollo Creed in the first four installments of the "Rocky" series.
Weathers passed away "peacefully in his sleep" on Thursday, February 1, at the age of 76, as confirmed by a family statement.
The news of his death has sparked an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from fans and colleagues alike, including Sylvester Stallone, his co-star from the "Rocky" series. Stallone took to social media to express his grief and honor his late friend.
"We lost a legend yesterday. My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest in power and keep punching," Stallone wrote, accompanying his words with a video of himself standing before a painting that depicted a boxing match between Rocky and Creed.
Stallone continued to pay tribute to Weathers, crediting him for his own success and acknowledging his greatness. "Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success, everything about it. I give him incredible credit and kudos because when he walked into that room, and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness, but I didnt realize how great," Stallone said.
Stallone further praised Weathers for his brilliance, his athletic prowess, and his heart and soul. He lamented the loss, calling it "horrible," and noted that the painting behind him captured one of their last moments together in the ring, a memory he vowed never to forget.
Weathers first appeared as the charismatic, undisputed heavyweight world champion in 1976's "Rocky," alongside Stallone. He reprised his role as Creed in subsequent sequels, culminating in his character's death in the ring during a fight against Soviet Union champion Ivan Drago, played by Dolph Lundgren, in 1985's "Rocky IV." Following Creed's death, his son Adonis Creed, portrayed by Michael B. Jordan, took center stage in his own boxing trilogy beginning in 2015.
Lundgren also expressed his sorrow over the loss of his co-star. "I was saddened to hear the news this morning. Along with the world, I will miss Carl. He was a great actor, a terrific athlete, and a good friend," Lundgren wrote on Instagram.
Weathers' acting career extended beyond the "Rocky" series. He starred in the 1987 science fiction action film "Predator" alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, who later became the governor of California, and former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura, who also served as a governor in Minnesota.
Schwarzenegger paid tribute to his late co-star, describing Weathers as an extraordinary athlete, a fantastic actor, and a great person. "We couldnt have made Predator without him. And we certainly wouldnt have had such a wonderful time making it. Every minute with him - on set and off - was pure joy. He was the type of friend who pushes you to be your best just to keep up with him," Schwarzenegger wrote.
Following Weathers' death, his family released a statement expressing their deep sadness and highlighting his exceptional life and contributions to film, television, the arts, and sports. "He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend," the statement read.
Born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Weathers initially pursued a professional football career before transitioning to acting. He played college football at San Diego State University, where he contributed to the SDSU Aztecs' victory in the 1969 Pasadena Bowl.
Weathers' filmography includes leading roles in action films such as "Action Jackson" (1988) and "Hurricane Smith" (1992). He also starred in the classic comedy "Happy Gilmore" (1996) as Chubbs Peterson, a former golf star who lost his hand in an alligator attack.
In his later years, Weathers starred in all three seasons of "The Mandalorian" as Greef Karga, the leader of a bounty hunter guild. His performance earned him an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2021. Weathers also directed two episodes of the series.
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