Rocky actor Carl Weathers dies aged 76
Carl Weathers, a former American footballer turned Hollywood movie and comedy star, has died aged 76.
Weathers was best known for playing nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies and had most recently starred in the Disney+ hit The Mandalorian, appearing in all three seasons.
In a statement, his family said: âWe are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers.
âHe died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024.
âCarl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life.
âThrough 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.â
![FILE - Carl Weathers poses at the Disney + launch event promoting "The Mandalorian" at the London West Hollywood hotel in West Hollywood, Calif., on Oct. 19. 2019. Weathers, a former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star, playing nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the ???Rocky??? movies, facing-off against Arnold Schwarzenegger in ???Predator??? and teaching golf in ???Happy Gilmore,??? died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. He was 76. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)](https://wp.inews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SEI_189769528.jpg?w=760)
Mr Weathers, a former NFL linebacker went on to star in such film classics as Predator with Arnold Schwarzenegger and in Happy Gilmour with Adam Sandler.
But the movie star was most famous role for his role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky film series.
Speaking to the Daily Beast in 2017 he said: âIt puts you on the map and makes your career, so to speak.
âBut thatâs a one-off, so youâve got to follow it up with something. Fortunately those movies kept coming, and Apollo Creed became more and more in peopleâs consciousness and welcome in their lives, and it was just the right guy at the right time.