2024-02-03 06:10:00
(CNN) –– Actor Carl Weathers, who rose to fame with the character of Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” films and participated in dozens of productions from “Predator” to “The Mandalorian”died at age 76, reported his manager Matt Luber.
The actor “passed away peacefully at home” this Thursday, Luber told CNN. The cause of death was not mentioned.
“Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life,” his family said in a statement to CNN. “Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized around the world and from generation to generation. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend.”
Weathers was actually a former football player who had never boxed when he auditioned for the role in “Rocky,” and he went on to appear as Apollo Creed in the Oscar-winning film and the following three sequels.
Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers perform a boxing scene in the film “Rocky,” directed by John G. Avildsen. (Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2015, Weathers recalled auditioning with Stallone, who he was told was the film’s writer, without knowing that the actor was also the star. Later, feeling that the test reading hadn’t gone well, he recalled, “I just said, ‘I could do a lot better if you could get me a real actor to work with.'”
The character was obviously inspired by Muhammad Ali, whom Weathers later got to know more about.
Weathers used his exposure in “Rocky” to play other characters that capitalized on his imposing physique, including the 1987 sci-fi action film “Predator,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Carl Weathers and Arnold Schwarzenegger on the set of “Predator” (1987). (Credit: Sunset Boulevard/Corbis Historical/Getty Images)
The following year, he played a Detroit police officer in the poorly received “Action Jackson.”
His later roles included the Adam Sandler comedy “Happy Gilmore” and the TV movies “In the Heat of the Night,” the series “Arrested Development” and the voice of Combat Carl in the “Toy Story” franchise.
Most recently, Weathers played a key supporting role in the “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian,” which earned an Emmy nomination for guest actor in a drama on Disney+, and he directed one of the episodes.
Weathers had also directed episodes of several television series, including “Chicago Med,” “Law & Order” and “Hawaii Five-O.”
Born in New Orleans, Weathers played college football at San Diego State and briefly played professionally with the Oakland Raiders and in the Canadian Football League.
He left football in the mid-1970s and began pursuing acting, landing roles in two films before landing his character in “Rocky.”
“A truly great man”
“I’m lost for words,” wrote Pedro Pascal upon learning of the death of Weathers, his co-star in “Mandalorian,” in a message on Instagram with a photo of the actor and a broken heart emoji.
Weathers’ “Predator” co-star Schwarzenegger said on Instagram that they “couldn’t have made” the film without him. “And we certainly wouldn’t have had as much fun doing it,” he added.
“Every minute with him — on set and off — was pure joy,” the former California governor added. “He was the kind of friend who pushed you to do your best just to live up to him.”
Sandler also posted a message in honor of Weathers on Instagram, writing that he was “a truly great man.”
“Great father. Great actor. Great athlete. He was always so much fun to be around,” he wrote, adding, “My wife and I had the best time with him every time we saw him.”
Stallone, for his part, said he was “destroyed” by the loss of Weathers, whom he called “an integral part” of his life and success.
“I could never have achieved what we did with ‘Rocky’ without him,” she said in a video posted to Instagram. “He was absolutely brilliant: his voice, his size, his power, his athletic ability. But most importantly, his heart, his soul.”
Stallone spoke to the camera while standing in front of a painting depicting a scene they shared in one of the “Rocky” movies. He said it was probably one of the last moments they were in the ring together and he will “never” forget it.
“I was so lucky to be a part of his life,” she added.
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