We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers, his family said in a statement.
He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024.
… Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life.
Carl Weathers in 2022 and as Apollo Creed in ‘Rocky’ (1976)Getty/Everett
He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend.
The character became close to Pedro Pascals Mando as the series progressed.
He appeared in four episodes across the Emmy-winning series first four seasons.
Carl Weathers and Arnold Schwarzenegger in ‘Predator’ (1987), TM & Copyright © 20th Century Fox/Everett Collection
Weathers was a regular in the seventh and final season during 1993-94 and appeared in the post-series telefilms.
He was badly injured while filming a fall stunt during theHappy Gilmoreshoot, leading to years of terrible pain.
There were three or four years there where I was just in excruciating pain.
He played eight NFL games forCoach John Maddenin 1970-71 before joining the B.C.
Lions of the Canadian Football League, where he played from 1971-73.
Weathers began amassing film credits in 1975 with a pair of blaxploitaton pics,BucktownandFriday Foster.
But his career took off in Americas bicentennial year.
Enter Rocky Balboa, who gets the gig in part due to his catchy nickname, The Italian Stallion.
Hes more interested in promoting the fight than training for it.
Some bloody faces and broken ribs later, the final bell sounds.
That all set up Creed-Balboa II.
Rocky IIwas a smash and featured the championship rematch this time with a different result.
He broke Alis jaw in their first fight, which Norton won in a TKO.
Ali would beat Norton in their controversial 1976 third match, two months beforeRockywas released.
Michael B. Jordan plays Creeds son, Adonis Johnson, in theCreedfilms.
Weathers also had an emerging career as a TV director.
Mike Fleming Jr.andPatrick Hipes contributed to this report.
