Friends and colleagues remember the late Carl Weathers.
New Orleans-born actor known for his roles in Rocky, Predator and The Mandalorian “died peacefully in his sleep” on Thursday, his family said in a statement Deadline and Diversity. He was 76 years old.
In Sylvester Stallone’s 1976 Best Picture Oscar winner and its many sequels, Weathers, a former NFL player, played heavyweight boxing champion Apollo Creed. Following his death, Weathers’ family of actors in the hit film franchise paid tribute to the star.
“Yesterday we lost a legend,” Stallone (77) wrote in a statement on Instagram, along with an emotional tribute video. “My life changed forever for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest and keep hitting.”
You have to watch Michael B. Jordan’s recap of all the ‘Rocky’ movies before you see ‘Creed II’
In his video, Stallone said he “could never have achieved what we’re up to Rocky without” Weathers.
“He was absolutely brilliant,” Stallone continued. “His voice, his size, his power, his athletic ability, but more importantly, his heart, his soul. It’s a terrible loss.”
Stallone stood in front of a picture of Rocky fighting Apollo in the video, noting that it captured one of the last moments he and Weathers shared inside a boxing ring.
“He was a wizard, and I was so lucky to be a part of his life,” Stallone concluded. “So Apollo, keep hitting.”
Michael B. Jordan, 36, who played Apollo’s son Adonis “Donnie” Creed in the 2015 sequel. Creed, shared a tribute to the man who played his father on screen. In a story posted to his Instagram account on Friday, the actor and director included a photo of Weathers with the caption, “We lost a legend.”
Although Weathers did not cooperate on Creed, in 2015, the veteran actor gave Jordan his stamp after watching the film. “You did well for CREED’s sake!” he wrote in a tweet to Jordan, as Entertainment Weekly reported at the time. “Congratulations [a] great job my friend. May your success continue.”
Rocky IV star Dolph Lundgren, 66, shared a statement about co-starring with Weathers in the 1985 film.
“I was sad when I heard the news this morning,” said the actor, who played boxer Captain Ivan Drago. “Along with the world, I will miss Carl. He was a great actor, a great athlete and a good friend. I have many special memories with Carl, both professionally and personally. Like Apollo Creed, he had that special charm that always brought a smile to your face. 🙏.”
Carl Weathers in 1979.
Michael Putland/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
In a statement announcing the news Friday, Weathers’ family called him “an extraordinary human being who lived an extraordinary life. With his contribution to film, television, art and sport, he left an indelible mark and is recognized throughout the world and among generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend.”
Adam Sandler pays tribute Happy Gilmore Posthumous costar Carl Weathers: ‘A real great man’
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/Carl-Weathers-020224-2-86092401f17f4f5bb782b38422ea80c9.jpg)
Carl Weathers 2022.
Ethan Miller/Getty
Weathers studied theater and played football at San Diego State University. In 1974, he retired from professional football to devote himself to acting, earning roles in blaxploitation film and television.
In the 2015 interview The Hollywood Reporter, Weathers recounted booking the role of Creed. After reading Stallone as Rocky at the audition and feeling “a moment of awkwardness,” he recalled, “I just blurted out, ‘I could do a lot better if you could find me the right actor to work with’… So I just insulted the star of the movie, without actually knowing and not intending to.”
But Stallone chose him, he added, apparently because the insult was in character for Creed. “Sometimes it’s the mistakes that get you the performance.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education