The actor known for his roles in Rocky and Predator peacefully passed away in his sleep. The family of the Apollo Creed star honors him as an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life.
Renowned actor Carl Weathers, celebrated for his iconic roles in Rocky and Predator, has passed away at the age of 76. Best known for portraying Apollo Creed, Rocky Balboa’s rival-turned-boxing mentor in four Rocky films, Weathers peacefully departed in his sleep on Thursday, February 1, 2024, as confirmed by his family in a statement. The announcement expressed deep sadness, acknowledging the actor’s peaceful passing.
“Carl was a remarkable individual who led an extraordinary life. His impact is indelible, spanning film, television, the arts, and sports, earning global recognition across generations.
He was not only a cherished brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend but also gained worldwide acclaim for his portrayal of the heavyweight champion of the world, Apollo Creed, in the 1976 film Rocky. As a former professional football player, Weathers transcended his athletic career to become an iconic figure in the entertainment industry.”
In the iconic film, Creed provided the ‘Italian Stallion’ underdog Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) with the opportunity to contend for the title. Carl Weathers reprised his role in subsequent Rocky films, including the 1979 Rocky II, where Creed had a title rematch with Rocky, the 1982 Rocky III where he faced off against Clubber Lang (Mr. T), and the 1984 Rocky IV, where his character met a tragic end in the ring at the hands of Russian heavyweight Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren).
The legacy of his character continued in the acclaimed Rocky spin-off film series, Creed, in which Michael B. Jordan portrayed Adonis Creed, Apollo’s secret son and a budding boxer.
Weathers once shared an amusing anecdote about his Rocky audition, revealing that he unintentionally insulted Sylvester Stallone’s acting abilities. During the audition, Weathers expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, “I could do a lot better if you got me a real actor to work with.” Surprisingly, Stallone perceived the remark as something Creed would say, and it ultimately contributed to Weathers landing the role. Reflecting on the incident, Weathers noted, “Sometimes the mistakes are the ones that get you the gig.”
Carl Weathers is survived by his sons, Jason and Matthew, from his marriage to ex-wife Mary Ann Castle, and his grandchildren.
The acclaimed actor experienced three marriages and divorces. He was married to Mary Ann from 1973 to 1983, Rhona Unsell from 1984 to 2006, and Jennifer Peterson from 2007 to 2009.
Born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Weathers demonstrated a talent for sports during his school years. He pursued football and played as a defensive end in college. Beginning his college journey in 1966 at Long Beach City College, he later transferred to San Diego State University after sustaining an ankle injury. At San Diego State, Weathers achieved a master’s degree in theater arts.
Carl Weathers entered the world of professional football by signing with the Oakland Raiders as a free agent in 1970. He played in seven games for the Raiders during the 1970 season before being released in September 1971.
Following his stint with the Raiders, Weathers joined the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League and played for them until 1973. During the off-seasons, he attended San Francisco State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in drama in 1974.
Retiring from football in 1974, Weathers shifted his focus to an acting career. His initial starring roles were in films like Bucktown (1975) and Friday Foster (1975). Additionally, he appeared in an early 1975 episode of the sitcom Good Times. Weathers also guest-starred in a 1975 episode of Kung Fu and played the role of a loan shark in an episode of the crime-drama Starsky and Hutch. These early roles marked the beginning of his successful transition from football to acting.
After rising to fame with Rocky, Carl Weathers went on to feature in several action films, including Force 10 from Navarone (1978), Predator (1987), Action Jackson (1988), and Hurricane Smith (1992).
His Predator co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger paid tribute, expressing, “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. Every minute with him – on set and off – was pure joy. He was the type of friend who pushes you to be your best just to keep up with him. I’ll miss him, and my thoughts are with his family.”
Weathers also made appearances in Michael Jackson’s Liberian Girl music video and co-starred in the 1996 Adam Sandler comedy Happy Gilmore as golf coach Chubbs Peterson. He reprised the role in the 2000 film, Little Nicky.
Adam Sandler paid a heartfelt tribute to Weathers, describing him as “A true great man. 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. 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.”
