Carl Weathers, the beloved actor known for his iconic roles as Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” films and in “The Mandalorian,” has passed away at the age of 76. This sad news was confirmed by his manager, Matt Luber, to Variety.
In addition to his memorable performances in the “Rocky” franchise, Weathers also made a lasting impression in other notable films such as “Predator” (1987) and Adam Sandler’s “Happy Gilmore.” He even received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work in “The Mandalorian.”
Weathers showcased his talent in various projects, including lending his voice to the character Combat Carl in “Toy Story 4” and playing a fictionalized version of himself in the popular TV show “Arrested Development.” His extensive list of credits includes appearances in TV series like “Street Justice,” “Colony,” “The Shield,” “Chicago Justice,” and “Brothers,” as well as films like “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Death Hunt,” and “The Comebacks.”
His collaboration with Adam Sandler continued beyond “Happy Gilmore,” as he reprised his role briefly in “Little Nicky” and lent his voice to a character in Sandler’s animated Hanukkah comedy, “Eight Crazy Nights.”
The entertainment industry has lost a true talent, and Carl Weathers will be remembered for his remarkable contributions to film and television. He leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire and entertain audiences for years to come.
Born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Weathers had a diverse athletic background, participating in various sports such as boxing, football, soccer, wrestling, and gymnastics. During his college years at San Diego State University, he played football and contributed to the Aztecs’ victory in the 1969 Pasadena Bowl. While pursuing a degree in theatre arts at SDSU, Weathers took a significant step towards his acting career by signing with the Oakland Raiders as a free agent in 1970. He played as a linebacker in the NFL for eight games across two seasons.
Following his time in professional football, Weathers shifted his focus more towards acting. He landed small roles in blaxploitation movies like “Bucktown” and “Friday Foster,” directed by Arthur Marks. Additionally, he appeared in popular TV series such as “Good Times,” “Kung Fu,” “Cannon,” and “Starsky and Hutch.”
One of Weathers’ most prominent roles came in the movie “Predator,” where he portrayed Colonel Al Dillon alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, who later became the governor of California, and Jesse Ventura, who became the governor of Minnesota. In 1988, Weathers hosted an episode of “Saturday Night Live.” Years later, he made a return to the show for a humorous segment, parodying his own political aspirations by announcing his candidacy based on being “the Black guy in ‘Predator.'”