Carl Weathers, Apollo Creed from Rocky movies, passes away

Actor Carl Weathers, a former professional American football player who shot to stardom by playing the brash and charismatic boxer Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies, passed away on Thursday. He was 76.

Weathers, who also starred in the 1987 film Predator, opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger, was recently seen on the small screen in the Star Wars spin-off series The Mandalorian (2019-2023), a role for which he scored an Emmy nomination. Additionally, he also acted in Action Jackson (1988), The Comebacks (2007), Think Like a Man Too (2014) and Toy Story 4 (2019).

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers...He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024,” the family said in the statement, “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. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend,” the statement further read.

The cause of his death is unknown but the statement mentioned that he had died peacefully in his sleep.

In addition to the first four Rocky films, Weathers appeared in movies like Action Jackson (1988), The Comebacks (2007), Think Like a Man Too (2014) and Toy Story 4 (2019).

He also had a recurring role as Greef Karga in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian (2019–2023). In 2021, Weathers received an Emmy nomination for the role and he had also directed a pair of episodes in Seasons 2 and 3.

Weathers also had a voice acting role in another beloved franchise when he played Combat Carl in 2019's Toy Story 4.

He received plaudits for his turn as a golf coach in Happy Gilmore, where his character took to tutoring Adam Sandler after leaving the pro tour when he lost his hand to an alligator.

Weather's co-star in the first Rocky film, Sylvester Stallone, on Saturday shared a video on Instagram, mourning the death of the actor.

“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,” wrote Stallone alongside his post.  “When he first walked into the room, I saw greatness. But I didn’t realise how great. I never could have accomplished what we did with Rocky without him.”

“He was absolutely great, his voice, his size, his power, his athletic ability but more importantly his heart and his soul,” he said.

Arnold Schwarzenegger dubbed him a "legend" and said, "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."

Fellow Predator actor and former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura said the world had lost "an icon."

Weathers is survived by two children, Jason and Matthew.