Carl Weathers, the acclaimed actor whose career in Hollywood spanned five decades, passed away at the age of 76. Best known for playing Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies, Weathers left an impressive legacy behind and many of his Hollywood peers took a moment to bid him farewell.
Weathers’ passing was confirmed in a statement by his family, which revealed he died peacefully in his sleep on February 1. The statement described him as an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life and left an indelible mark on the world through his contributions to film, television, the arts, and sports.
Weathers’ Rocky co-star Sylvester Stallone was one of the first people to pay homage to the actor on social media, and he described him as an integral part of his life and his success.
“He was absolutely brilliant – his voice, his size, his presence, his athletic ability, but, most importantly, his heart, his soul. It’s a horrible loss. He was magic. I was so fortunate to be part of his life. Apollo, keep punching,” said Stallone.
The role of Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise put Weathers on the map, but his filmography also included movies Predator, Action Jackson, and Happy Gilmore, TV shows Street Justice and Chicago Justice, and a recent role in the hit Disney+ series The Mandalorian.
