jfid – Carl Weathers, the actor known for playing Apollo Creed in the Rocky films and more recently starring in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian, has died at the age of 76. His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1, 2024.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” the family’s statement said. “Carl was an extraordinary human being who lived an extraordinary life.
Through his contributions to film, television, the arts, and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is known around the world and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.”
Weathers had his big screen breakthrough in 1976 when he landed the role of Creed in the film Rocky, according to his IMDb biography. He continued his role in three other Rocky films.
Weathers also had roles in the 1987 film Predator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Adam Sandler’s 1996 film Happy Gilmore, and on the small screen in The Mandalorian.
But did you know that Weathers was not only an actor but also a professional athlete? Before he became a Hollywood star, he was an American football player in the NFL and CFL.
He even played in Super Bowl VII with the Oakland Raiders in 1973, although he didn’t get a championship ring because they lost to the Miami Dolphins.
Weathers started his acting career appearing in several television commercials, including one featuring Muhammad Ali. He then landed small roles in films like Friday Foster, Bucktown, and Force 10 from Navarone.
However, he first gained public attention when he played Apollo Creed, the world heavyweight boxing champion who becomes both a rival and friend to Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone.
That role made Weathers one of the greatest sports film icons of all time. He managed to portray a character who was charismatic, confident, and competitive but also had a humane and humorous side.
He also showcased his incredible acting skills in dramatic scenes, especially when he died in the ring after fighting Ivan Drago, the Soviet boxer played by Dolph Lundgren, in Rocky IV.
Weathers didn’t just act but also trained hard to prepare for his role as a boxer. He spent hours in the gym and in the ring, training with Stallone and professional boxing coaches.
He also improvised in some scenes, like when he said “Ain’t gonna be no rematch” after losing to Rocky in the first film, or when he said “Ding, ding” before starting a friendly fight with Rocky in the third film.
Weathers also had great chemistry with Stallone, both on and off the screen. They respected and admired each other as actors and athletes. They also often joked around on set. Stallone himself expressed his grief over Weathers’ passing on social media.
“I have lost a dear friend and beloved brother. Carl Weathers was an exceptional human being, full of energy and talent. He was an integral part of the success of the Rocky films. He will always live in my heart and the hearts of millions of fans,” Stallone wrote.
In addition to Rocky, Weathers also starred in other successful films, such as Predator, in which he played Dillon, a CIA agent who joins a commando team led by Schwarzenegger to rescue hostages in the Latin American jungle but must face an alien killer.
The film became one of the greatest action and science fiction films of all time, featuring an iconic scene where Weathers and Schwarzenegger handshake with their muscular arms.
Weathers also showcased his comedic side in the film Happy Gilmore, where he played Chubbs Peterson, a professional golfer who becomes a mentor to Happy Gilmore, a hockey player turned golfer played by Sandler.
In this film, Weathers had to act with a wooden prosthetic hand, as his character had lost a hand to an alligator attack. The film became one of the most popular and funniest sports comedy films of all time, featuring hilarious scenes like when Weathers and Sandler sing along to the song “The End of the Road” by Boyz II Men.
Weathers also appeared in several television series such as Street Justice, In the Heat of the Night, Arrested Development, Chicago Justice, and The Mandalorian.
In the latter series, he played Greef Karga, a leader of a bounty hunter guild who recruits Din Djarin, aka The Mandalorian, played by Pedro Pascal, for a dangerous mission.
The series became one of the best and most popular Star Wars shows, featuring new fan-favorite characters like Grogu, aka Baby Yoda.
Weathers also never stopped learning and growing as an artist. He took acting classes, directed some episodes of the shows he starred in, and even earned a master’s degree in the dramatic arts from San Diego State University in 2004.
He was also involved in several charitable and social projects, such as supporting the United Negro College Fund, participating in Celebrity Fight Night, and serving as an ambassador for World Vision.
Weathers left behind an invaluable legacy in the entertainment and sports worlds. He was a star who never lost, both on and off the screen. He was an inspirational hero to many, young and old. He was a legend who will never be forgotten. He was Carl Weathers, the Apollo Creed of the Rocky films.
But did you know that Weathers was not only an actor but also an ordinary human being who had flaws and mistakes? He had been divorced three times, had financial troubles, and was even arrested for a domestic violence case.
He was also criticized for his stereotypical role as an aggressive, tough black man. He failed some auditions too, like for the role of Lando Calrissian in Star Wars or Mr. T in The A-Team.
So, do you still admire Weathers as your idol? Do you still consider him an example to follow? Do you still respect him as an artist and athlete? Or are you disappointed and angry because he turned out to not be as perfect as you had imagined?
I don’t know your answers, but I know mine. I still admire Weathers as a great actor, but I also realize that he was a sinful human being. I still consider him an example to emulate, but I also learn from his mistakes. I still respect him as an artist and athlete, but I also appreciate myself as a unique individual.
