Carl Weathers, Beloved Star Of “Rocky” & A lot Extra, Passes Away At 76

Film star Carl Weathers, who famously portrayed Apollo Creed within the Rocky franchise, died on the age of 76 on Thursday (February 1). Weathers’ household disclosed his loss of life in an announcement issued on Friday (February 2).

“We’re deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” his household stated, per Deadline. “He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024 … Carl was an distinctive human being who lived a unprecedented life. Via his contributions to movie, tv, the humanities and sports activities, he has left an indelible mark and is acknowledged worldwide and throughout generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, companion and pal.”

Weathers grew to become a profitable actor following a quick profession within the NFL. The New Orleans native appeared in a number of motion pictures and TV exhibits earlier than touchdown his breakout function, Apollo Crowd, within the unique Rocky movie. Weathers reprised his function in three sequels, making himself a fixture of the franchise with Sylvester Stallone.

The esteemed actor appeared in one other hit movie when he starred as Al Dillon within the Arnold Schwarzenegger-led motion film Predator. Weathers additionally secured the lead function in Motion Jackson, portraying the titular character.

Years later, Weathers confirmed off his comedic chops in Adam Sandler’s golf comedy Joyful Gilmore. Weathers performed Derick “Chubbs” Peterson, a retired golfer who coaches Sandler’s character Joyful Gilmore.

Weathers bolstered his comedic repute with a recurring function within the acclaimed TV sequence Arrested Improvement, enjoying a fictionalized model of himself. The Arrested Improvement model of Weathers was depicted as a ridiculously frugal man who agreed to be Tobias Fünke’s performing coach.

Extra just lately, Weathers voiced Fight Carl in Toy Story 4 and joined the Star Wars universe with a task within the Disney Plus sequence The Mandalorian. Weathers portrayed Greef Karga and directed two episodes of the present.