In a saddening turn of events, beloved Hollywood actor and former NFL player Carl Weathers has passed away at the age of 76. Weathers, widely recognized for his iconic role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky film series, as well as his appearances in other notable projects such as Predator, Happy Gilmore, and The Mandalorian, died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles.
Carl Weathers, a remarkable individual, lived an extraordinary life that left an indelible mark on the world of film, television, sports, and the arts. His manager, Matt Luber, described him as an exceptional human being who will be dearly missed by all. Weathers was not only a talented actor but also a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.
Weathers' diverse acting career included portraying Det. Beaudreaux on the syndicated cop show Street Justice from 1991 to 1993 and Chief of Police Hampton Forbes on the final two seasons of CBS' In the Heat of the Night from 1992 to 1994. He also appeared as a caricature of himself on episodes of Fox's Arrested Development from 2004 to 2013 and as Combat Carl in Toy Story 4 in 2019.
In recent years, Weathers experienced a resurgence in popularity with his role in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian. He portrayed Greef Karga, a bounty hunter-turned-government official and one of the titular character's allies. This role not only thrust him into Star Wars fandom but also introduced him to a new generation of fans, who admired his work in the popular franchise. Weathers also ventured into directing, helming episodes of The Mandalorian, as well as installments of Law & Order and Chicago Med.
Born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Weathers was involved in various sports activities, including boxing, wrestling, football, gymnastics, and soccer, during his high school years at St. Augustine High School in San Diego and Long Beach Poly High School in California. He excelled as a defensive end at Long Beach City College before transferring to San Diego State University. In 1968, he played a key role in helping the Aztecs achieve an impressive 11-0 record.
Weathers then pursued a professional football career and played for the NFL's Oakland Raiders from 1970 to 1971 and the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League from 1971 to 1973. However, during offseasons, he attended San Francisco State University and earned a bachelor's degree in drama in 1974. It was the same year that Weathers decided to give up football and focus on his passion for acting.
His breakthrough came when he appeared as a demonstrator in the film Magnum Force (1973), and from there, Weathers went on to feature in various blaxploitation films, including Bucktown and Friday Foster in 1975. He also made appearances in popular television shows such as Good Times, Kung Fu, Cannon, Switch, The Six Million Dollar Man, S.W.A.T., and Bronk.
However, it was his role as Apollo Creed in Rocky (1976) that catapulted him to stardom. Inspired by legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, Weathers portrayed the brash heavyweight champion who takes on Sylvester Stallone's character, Rocky Balboa, in a remarkable bout. The film's success led to sequels, with Weathers continuing to impress audiences as Apollo Creed in Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982), and appearing in flashbacks in Rocky IV (1990).
In addition to his work in the Rocky franchise, Weathers delivered impressive performances in Force 10 From Navarone (1978) and as Col. Al Dillon in Predator (1987). He then transitioned into leading roles, portraying a Detroit cop in Action Jackson (1988) and playing Derick Chubbs Peterson, a pro golfer who encounters an unfortunate incident with an alligator in Happy Gilmore (1996). Even in recent years, Weathers delighted fans by reprising his role as Chubbs Peterson in commercials for a popular golf retailer.
Carl Weathers will always be remembered for his significant contributions to the world of entertainment and sports. His talent, charisma, and larger-than-life presence will be greatly missed by fans worldwide. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations and may he rest in peace.
