‘Rocky’ Star Carl Weathers Dead At 76

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Carl Weathers
Photo Credit: Luigi Novi, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The acclaimed actor Carl Weathers, renowned for his roles in “Rocky” and “Predator,” has passed away at the age of 76.

Renowned for his portrayal of Apollo Creed in the iconic “Rocky” series, Weathers’s passing was confirmed by his family, who revealed he passed ‘peacefully in his sleep’ on Thursday, February 1. They expressed their deep sorrow, stating: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers. He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024.

‘Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. His impact on the entertainment industry, spanning film, television, sports, and the arts, leaves a lasting legacy recognized the world over and by multiple generations.

‘He leaves behind loved ones who revered him as a brother, father, grandfather, partner, and companion.’

Before his rise to cinematic fame, Weathers excelled as a football athlete at San Diego State and then went pro with the Oakland Raiders for a short stint in the early 70s.

His departure from football came in 1974, at which point he turned his talents to the realm of acting.

Weathers secured his first major roles in the films “Bucktown” (1975) and “Friday Foster” (1975) and gained television exposure with a role in an early 1975 episode of “Good Times.”

His talents were showcased in various guest appearances, such as on “Kung Fu” and as a dubious moneylender on “Starsky and Hutch.”

However, it was the casting as the imposing boxing champion Apollo Creed in the 1976 film “Rocky” that catapulted Weathers into the spotlight.

Opposite Sylvester Stallone’s reserved and soft-spoken Rocky Balboa, Weathers portrayed Apollo Creed with a potent blend of confidence and showmanship, contributing to the critically acclaimed final bout of the film.

Drawing inspiration from legends like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson, Weathers sculpted Apollo Creed into an unforgettable character who achieved equivalent fame to Rocky himself.

In 2015, Weathers told The Hollywood Reporter about his audition process for the role. “There was nobody to read with, and they said you’re going to read with the writer [Stallone],” he recalled.

Weather said that he felt the scene hadn’t “really sailed” and thought the film executives weren’t thrilled with their chemistry.

“So I just blurted out, ‘I could do a lot better if you got me a real actor to work with,’” he chuckled. “So I just insulted the star of the movie without really knowing it and not intending to.”

Weathers noted that Stallone didn’t get offended and thought that his verbal jab was a remark the character would make.

“Sometimes the mistakes are the ones that get you the gig,” he stated.

Weathers would go on to reenact Apollo Creed in “Rocky II,” “III,” and “IV,” his role evolving from Balboa’s rival to his cherished confidant.

His portrayal further influences contemporary cinema, as evidenced by the spin-off “Creed” movies that feature Michael B. Jordan as Creed’s son, Adonis.

In 1987, Weathers shared the screen with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the extraterrestrial action-packed hit “Predator,” further solidifying his cinematic prowess.

“Carl Weathers will always be a legend,” Schwarzenegger tweeted on Friday. “An extraordinary athlete, a fantastic actor, and a great person. We couldn’t have made Predator without him. And we certainly wouldn’t 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. I’ll miss him, and my thoughts are with his family,” he added in a follow-up post.

His leading role in the movie “Action Jackson” (1988) cemented Weathers as a solo action star, achieving notable success at the box office.

Weathers’s versatility extended to comedic roles, most notably appearing alongside Adam Sandler in films such as “Happy Gilmore,” “Little Nicky,” and “Eight Crazy Nights.”

Sandler expressed his admiration for Weathers, heralding him with the words: ‘A true great man. Great dad. Great actor. Great athlete. So much fun to be around always. Smart as hell. Loyal as hell. Funny as hell. Loved his sons more than anything. What a guy!! Everyone loved him. My wife and I had the best times with him every time we saw him. Love to his entire family and Carl will always be known as a true legend.’

The actor’s resurgence in the world of comedy came about in 2004 with his portrayal of a satirized version of himself on “Arrested Development.”

This was followed by guest roles on shows such as “The Shield,” “ER,” “Psych,” alongside his recurring roles across “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.,” culminating in a main role in 2017’s “Chicago Justice.”

Moreover, his role in the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian,” where he debuted as Greef Carga in 2019, earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in what became his last acting endeavor.

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