Actor Carl Weathers, who portrayed Sylvester Stallone’s boxing nemesis-turned-friend and mentor Apollo Creed in four “Rocky” films, has died at age 76, his family announced Friday.
In a statement to Deadline, the family said Weathers “died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday.”
“Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life,” his family said. “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.”
No other details were immediately released.
A native of New Orleans, Weathers played college football at San Diego State University and played briefly for the Oakland Raiders and then for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League before retiring and pursuing an acting career.
The university posted to X Friday that “Weathers will be rightfully remembered for his phenomenal talent, for championing sports and the arts and for staying connected to SDSU.”
He made appearances in a series of television programs, including “Kung Fu” and “Starsky and Hutch,” but rose to fame when he landed the role of boxing champion Apollo Creed, who gives Stallone’s Rocky Balboa a shot at the title in the 1976 film “Rocky.”
In a 2016 interview with the Daily Beast, Weathers said he “stole a lot” from Ali in creating the character.
“With any role that’s so iconic, defining, grand – it was so many things, you know? But yeah, it puts you on the map and makes your career, so to speak. But that’s a one-off, so you’ve got to follow it up with something. Fortunately those movies kept coming,” Weathers said.
He reprised the role in three sequels, before his character died in the ring in “Rocky IV.”
Stallone said in a video tribute on social media that he was “torn up” and “just trying to hold it in.”
“When he walked into that room, and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness,” Stallone said, standing before a LeRoy Neiman painting of the two of them boxing. “But I didn’t realize how great. I never could have accomplished what we did with Rocky without him.”
Weathers’ other notable roles included a spot opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator,” and in films including “Action Jackson” and “Happy Gilmore.”
Schwarzenegger posted on X that “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.”
Weathers more recently appeared in 10 episodes of the popular Disney+ streaming series “The Mandalorian,” which earned him an Emmy nomination for outstanding guest actor.
– Staff and wire reports
Updated 7:25 p.m. Feb. 2, 2024