Carl Weathers, who played Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films, passed away at 76 1. His family announced that he died “peacefully in his sleep” on February 1, 2024. Weathers was a former NFL player who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star. He also starred in Predator, Happy Gilmore, and The Mandalorian.
Carl Weathers Biography
Carl Weathers was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 14, 1948. He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs before signing with the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL) in 1970. After being released by the Raiders, he signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He began his acting career in blaxploitation cinema with small roles in Bucktown and Friday Foster. The acting bug bit him and went on to become a successful actor, director, and football linebacker.
Carl Weathers is best known for playing Apollo Creed alongside Sylvester Stallone in the first four Rocky films. He also appeared in the Creed films led by Michael B Jordan. After becoming a college football star in the 1960s and retiring from a professional career in the early 70s, Weathers began acting in blaxploitation cinema with small roles in Bucktown and Friday Foster. He then took roles in the next three Rocky movies, opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987’s Predator, and the lead in 1988’s Action Jackson.
In the following decade, he acted with Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore and went on to appear in Arrested Development as an acting coach and the voice of Combat Carl in Toy Story 4. His most recent roles included Greef Karga in The Mandalorian, which scored him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. He also directed two episodes.
Carl Weathers was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend. He 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.
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Rest in peace, Carl Weathers. You will be missed.
