The cinema world is crying for veteran actor Carl Weathers. Known for films such as ‘Rocky’ and ‘Predator’, veteran actor Carl Weathers, who last starred in the series ‘The Mandalorian’, died at the age of 76. His family made a statement through his manager and announced that Weathers died peacefully in his sleep on 1 February: “Carl was an extraordinary person who lived an extraordinary life. His contributions to film, television, art and sport left an indelible mark and were recognised worldwide and across generations. He was a much-loved brother, father, grandfather and friend.”
Carl Weathers, who starred opposite Sylvester Stallone in the first four Rocky films and played Rocky’s rival Apollo Creed, began acting in small roles in blaxploitation films after becoming a college football star in the 1960s and ending his professional career in the early 70s. He expressed his feelings about acting with these words: “I was bitten by the bug, as they say. The way people laugh at good lines on stage and applaud at the end; it’s quite contagious. Once this bug gets inside you, it is very difficult to give it up.”
The veteran actor, who debuted with Rocky with Stallone, explained the difficulties of portraying a boxer as follows: “It was hard to avoid getting punched on set. Sometimes we deliberately attacked each other. I was always worried that if I hit Sly, if I threw a punch, I might get hurt. I think he was pretty much in the same situation.”
In 1987 he starred in the film ‘Predator’ with another action star Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 1988, he played the lead role in the film ‘Action Jackson’, which gained a certain fan base. In the 1990s, he starred in ‘Happy Gilmore’ with Adam Sandler, appeared as an actor coach in Arrested Development and voiced Combat Carl in Toy Story 4.
Adam Sandler wrote the following on X following the death of Carl Weathers: “A really great guy. Great dad. Great actor. Great athlete. So smart. Very funny. Fiercely loyal. He loved his sons more than anything. What a guy!! Everybody loved him. My wife and I had a great time with him every time we saw him. My love to his family, Carl will always be remembered as a true legend.”
