Tributes are pouring in for the beloved actor Carl Weathers following his death at age seventy-six.
Weathers, who is best known for his role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise, “died peacefully in his sleep” on Thursday morning according to his family.
“Carl was an exceptional 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 recognized worldwide and across generations,” said his family in a statement obtained by TMZ. “He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.”
Carl Weathers first gained national spotlight as a college football player before eventually turning pro and playing for both the Oakland Raiders of the NFL, and BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.
Weathers retired from professional football in 1974 in order to pursue a career in acting.
That move proved to be a good one, as Carl was quickly booked in rolls in ‘The Six Million Dollar Man’, ‘Starsky & Hutch’ and ‘Good Times’. Those gigs were followed by his first major role as Apollo Creed in the hit series of ‘Rocky’ opposite Sylvester Stallone. Weathers would appear in the first three movies of the eventual six-series franchise.
In addition to his fame for playing Apollo Creed, Carl Weathers also gained popularity with his roles in ‘The Predator’ and ‘Happy Gilmore’. He had most recently appeared in the Star Wars hit series ‘The Mandalorian’.
Following news of Weathers’ passing, tons of fans, friends and celebrities paid tribute to the late actor on social media.
https://twitter.com/WhatTheForkLads/status/1753569664355946548
Carl Weathers will always be a legend. 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. pic.twitter.com/q4CWVVeyTK
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) February 2, 2024
We lost an icon. Carl Weathers was a phenomenal talent, a true professional, and a dear friend. All my sympathies and love to his family. I loved working with him on Predator and then celebrating that film with him at various conventions in the ensuing years.
Thank you, Carl. pic.twitter.com/29OJoe8qcu— Jesse Ventura (@GovJVentura) February 2, 2024
https://twitter.com/InsideFighting_/status/1753571702108549233
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) February 2, 2024
Rest in peace to the truly amazing actor and entertainer, Carl Weathers. We all marveled at his talents on the big screen in the “Rocky” franchise as Apollo Creed, and I really enjoyed him in his role as the police chief in the hit TV show “In the Heat of the Night”! Cookie and I…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 2, 2024
The greatest ringwalk the movies ever seen! #ApolloCreed #LivingInAmerica #RIP #CarlWeathers https://t.co/IXEog6XXkf
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) February 2, 2024
https://twitter.com/bjpenndotcom/status/1753510479539093805
Rest in paradise, Carl Weathers 🙏🏾🕊️👑 pic.twitter.com/A8LUqlVlk1
— Jamel Herring (@JamelHerring) February 2, 2024
There would be no Rocky Balboa without Apollo Creed. Rest in peace Mr. Weathers.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) February 2, 2024
Action Jackson and predator were my childhood. Rest in peace Carl weathers 😢
— ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) February 2, 2024
RIP to the legend Carl Weathers. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/oSEdPcFHcA
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) February 2, 2024
Carl Weathers is survived by his ex-wife Mary Ann and the former couple’s two sons, Matthew and Jason.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Weathers family at this time.
What was your favorite memory of Carl Weathers?
