Co-stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone paid tribute to the NFL linebacker turned actor.
Carl Weathers, who played the role of nemesis-turned-friend Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies, has died. He was 76 years old.
“Karl was an extraordinary human being who lived an extraordinary life,” Weathers' family said in a statement Friday.
“Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he left an indelible mark and has been recognized around the world and across generations.”
Former NFL linebacker turned Hollywood action star Carl Weathers is perhaps best known for his role as Rocky Balboa's rival turned ally alongside Sylvester Stallone in Rocky and its three sequels. well known.
Rocky, released in 1976 and starring a largely unknown Stallone, was a surprise commercial and critical hit, winning the Best Picture Oscar and catapulting both actors to fame.
Weathers also played the brash Colonel Al Dillon in the 1987 film Predator, co-starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the one-handed golf coach Chubbs in the Adam Sandler comedy Happy Gilmore. He had a memorable role playing Peterson.
Most recently, Weathers starred in the Star Wars spinoff series The Mandalorian, for which he received an Emmy nomination.
Stallone paid tribute to Weathers on Friday, saying the success of the Rocky films would not have been possible without his co-star.
“When he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I felt greatness,” Stallone said in a video posted to Instagram.
“What I did with Rocky, I could never have accomplished without him. He was truly amazing. His voice, his size, his power, his athleticism, but more importantly, his heart, his soul. is.”
Schwarzenegger described his co-star as “legendary.”
“An extraordinary athlete, a great actor, and a great human being… We couldn't have made Predator without him,” Schwarzenegger said in an Instagram message. “And I couldn't have had a better time. Every moment with him, on set and off, was pure joy.”
Born in New Orleans, Weathers played football for San Diego State University and the Oakland Raiders before retiring in 1974 to pursue a career in acting.
According to Deadline, he appeared in more than 75 movies and TV shows during a Hollywood career that spanned more than 50 years.
Weathers has been married and divorced three times and now has two sons.
“He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend,” his family said in a statement.
