Carl Weathers
The “Rocky” and “Mandalorian” star has died
Carl Weathers became world famous thanks to his role as Apollo Creed.
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He played the legendary Apollo Creed in the first four “Rocky” films. US actor Carl Weathers has died at the age of 76.
American actor Carl Weathers has died at the age of 76. His family announced this in a statement, which is available, among others, to the US magazine “Deadline”. It states that Weathers died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1, 2024. The actor became famous primarily thanks to his role as Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” film series from the 1970s. The statement also said Weathers was an extraordinary person who lived an extraordinary life. “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” the family said.
The actor, who was born in New Orleans on January 14, 1948, appeared in more than 75 films and television series in his 50-year screen career. In three seasons of the Disney+ “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian,” he most recently played Greef Karga, the head of a bounty hunter guild, in nine episodes. In 2021, Weathers, who also directed two episodes of “The Mandalorian,” was even nominated for an Emmy. Just last month it was confirmed that he would also star in the planned film “The Mandalorian & Grogu”. Another milestone in his career was one of the main roles alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger (76) in the action epic “Predator”.
Carl Weathers made his breakthrough alongside Sylvester Stallone
However, he became known worldwide alongside Sylvester Stallone as boxing champion Apollo Creed. Initially he was Rocky Balboa’s adversary in the first “Rocky” part from 1976. In the sequel, there was a rematch in “Rocky II” three years later. He also took on leading roles in “Rocky III” and “Rocky IV”. In the latter film, his role died in the ring against the Russian fighter Ivan Drago, played by Dolph Lundgren (66).