Actor played Apollo Creed in ‘Rocky’ films
Carl Weathers, the actor who traded blows with Sylvester Stallone in the “Rocky” franchise and starred in the films “Predator” and “Action Jackson” and the TV series “The Mandalorian,” has died. He was 76. Weathers died “peacefully” at home Thursday, his manager, Matt Luber, confirmed Friday to The Times. A cause of death was not revealed.
“Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life,” his family said in a statement shared with multiple outlets. “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.”
Michael B. Jordan, star of the “Creed” films inspired by Weathers’ character, said on social media, “We lost a legend.”
A former NFL linebacker, Weathers found lasting Hollywood success as an athlete from another sport: a boxing star named Apollo Creed. After taking on minor roles in various projects in the mid-’70s, Weathers became an overnight sensation in 1976 for originating the fictional boxer, the rival to Stallone’s boxing champ Rocky Balboa. He appeared in the first “Rocky” film and reprised the role for the franchise’s second, third and fourth films.
It’s “a heady experience. You actually think you know something,” Weathers told The Times in 2014 of his time in the franchise. “If you buy into it, it takes so long to dig yourself out. I never ever get too up or too down about anything.”
Beyond the “Rocky” films, the Louisiana-born Weathers was an actor whose talents spanned decades and genres. He also built a career with the lead role in “Action Jackson,” which co-starred singer-turned-actor Vanity, and the sci-fi classic “Predator,” which also starred fellow athlete-turned-Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
After a series of action films in the ’80s, Weathers turned his attention to television, starring in series including “Street Justice” and “In the Heat of the Night.” Also on Weathers’ diverse résumé were minor parts in the Adam Sandler-led comedies “Happy Gilmore,” “Little Nicky” and “Eight Crazy Nights.”
Sandler remembered Weathers as “a true great man” in a social media post shared Friday.
“Great dad. Great actor. Great athlete. So much fun to be around always. Smart as hell. Loyal as hell. Funny as hell. Loved his sons more than anything,” Sandler wrote. “What a guy!! Everyone loved him. My wife and I had the best times with him every time we saw him. Love to his entire family and Carl will always be known as a true legend.”
In the two decades before his death, Weathers took up even more diverse acting jobs, including “Toy Story” roles, network procedurals (“Magnum P.I.,” NBC’s One Chicago franchise) and video game characters. Among Weathers’ most notable roles in recent years was in “The Mandalorian,” the Disney+ “Star Wars” series in which he starred as Greef Karga, the leader of a bounty hunter organization. He earned an Emmy Award nomination for “Mandalorian” in 2021.
“Mandalorian” star Pedro Pascal shared a photo of his colleague on Instagram, writing in the caption, “words fail” to express his grief.
Weathers was also a director on shows including “The Mandalorian,” “Law & Order” and “The Last O.G.” He also had a handful of producing credits, according to IMDB.
Directors Guild of America President Lesli Linka Glatter celebrated the “accomplished” star for his directing career and his commitment to the Hollywood guild off-screen. He had served on the DGA’s board since 2003 and continually sought to “improve the lives of his fellow members.”
Weathers was born on Jan. 14, 1948, and studied theater at San Diego State University, where he played football. He played one NFL season for the Oakland Raiders in 1970. Weathers also played two years in the Canadian Football League as he completed his studies at the University of San Francisco. He earned a bachelor’s degree in drama in 1974.
He is survived by two sons.