Carl Weathers, the actor best known as Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies, and more recently for his role in the hit Star Wars series The Mandalorian, died Thursday in his sleep, aged 76, according to his family.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” the family statement said. “Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life.”
“Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognised worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.”
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Weathers got his big-screen break in 1976, when he landed the role of Creed in Rocky, according to his bio on IMDb. He continued his role in three other Rocky movies. Weathers also landed parts in 1987’s Predator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, in Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore in 1996 and on the small screen in The Mandalorian.
Weathers also was the voice for Combat Carl in Toy Story 4 and other shorts in the beloved Disney-Pixar franchise.
He earned comedy credit by playing a bizarre version of himself in the cult sitcom Arrested Development, and featured in episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Magnum P.I. and Chicago P.D.
Before his decades’-long acting career took off, Weathers had some success in American football. He played collegiately at San Diego State University and then played professionally for the Oakland Raiders. He retired from the sport in 1974 to seriously pursue acting, according to his biography.
Weathers was nominated for an Emmy in 2021 for Outstanding Guest Actor for the re-occurring role as Greef Karga in The Mandalorian.
Adam Sandler posted on the X platform on Friday that his Happy Gilmore costar will forever be known as a “true legend.”
“A true great man. Great dad. Great actor. Great athlete. So much fun to be around always,” Sandler wrote.
“Smart as hell. Loyal as hell. Funny as hell. Loved his sons more than anything,” Sandler said. “What a guy!! Everyone loved him. My wife and I had the best times with him every time we saw him. Love to his entire family and Carl will always be known as a true legend.”
