Football player-turned-actor also had memorable roles in Predator, Happy Gilmore, and The Mandalorian
Carl Weathers, the actor who starred as boxer Apollo Creed in the Rocky series in addition to memorable roles in Predator, Happy Gilmore, and The Mandalorian, died at the age of 76.
Weathers’ family confirmed the actor’s death in a statement to Deadline, noting he died “peacefully in his sleep” Thursday.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” his family said in a statement. “Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. 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.”
A professional football player — Weathers played eight games with the then-Oakland Raiders in 1970 and 1971 — before turning to acting, Weathers made his start in blaxploitation films and television crime dramas in the early Seventies before landing what would be his breakout role: Rocky Balboa’s dreaded rival-turned-close friend in the Rocky series, beginning with the 1976 Oscar-winning classic and continuing through 1979’s Rocky II, 1982’s Rocky III, and 1985’s Rocky IV.
This story is developing.
