Sylvester Stallonepaid tribute today toCarl Weathers, who played ApolloCreedin the first fourRockyfilms anddied Thursdayat 76.
He was magic, and I was fortunate to be part of his life.
… Rest in power and keep punching.
Carl Weathers and Sylvester Stallone in ‘Rocky’, left, and ‘Rocky II’United Artists/Everett Collection
Today is an incredibly sad day for me.
… Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life which he says everything about it.
I never could have accomplished what we did with Rocky without him.
From left: Clubber Lang (Mr. T), Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) and Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) in 1982’s ‘Rocky III’United Artists/Everett Collection
He was absolutely great.
Watch on Deadline
Stallone was a nascent actor and screenwriter when he and Weathers first matched up.
Their championship bout is etched in blood, broken ribs and cinematic history.
He and Creed take part in an exhibition match in which the former champ meets his demise.
Stallone says in the video that it represents the last time he and Weathers were in the ring together.
