The entertainment world is mourning the passing of Carl Weathers, the iconic actor beloved for his roles as Apollo Creed in the Rocky series, Dillon in Predator, and more recently as Greef Karga in The Mandalorian. Weathers passed away peacefully in his sleep on 1 February at the age of 76, his family confirmed.
In a heartfelt statement as per Deadline, his family expressed their deep sorrow, noting, “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.”
Tributes have poured in from costars and admirers alike. Sylvester Stallone, Weathers’ legendary Rocky co-star, shared a moving tribute on Instagram. “Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I’m so torn up, I can’t even tell you,” Stallone expressed, standing in front of a painting of Rocky and Apollo in the ring.
“I’m just trying to hold it in because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success — everything about it, I give him incredible credit and kudos.” He praised Weathers for his irreplaceable contribution to the success of Rocky, highlighting his talent, heart, and soul. “He was magic. I was so fortunate to be part of his life. Apollo, keep punching.”
Michael B. Jordan, who starred as Weathers’ on-screen son Adonis Creed in the Creed spinoff, stated on his Instagram story (see above), “We lost a Legend.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Weathers’ co-star in Predator, shared his memories on Instagram, saying, “Carl Weathers will always be a legend. An extraordinary athlete, a fantastic actor, and a great person.” Schwarzenegger reminisced about the joy of working and spending time with Weathers, both on and off the set.
Adam Sandler, who worked with Weathers in Happy Gilmore, praised him on X/Twitter for being a “true great man,” noting his humor, intelligence, and loyalty. He reflected on the wonderful times shared with Weathers, extending his love to the actor’s family.
Pedro Pascal, Weathers’ colleague from The Mandalorian, shared a poignant tribute on Instagram with a simple message, “Words fail,” alongside a photo of Carl. In the series, Weathers played Greef Karga and directed episodes, earning his first Emmy nomination for his role.
Carl Weathers’ illustrious career spanned decades, leaving a legacy that touched many. From Action Jackson to Toy Story 4 and beyond, his impact on film and television will be remembered for generations to come.
As Hollywood says goodbye to a legend, Carl Weathers’ memory and contributions to the entertainment industry will undoubtedly continue to inspire.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing Honkai: Star Rail, cosplaying, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
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