United States: Carl Weathers, who played the antagonist Apollo Creed in the Rocky movie series, has passed away at 76.
“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,” Weathers’s family said in a statement on Friday.
Former NFL linebacker turned Hollywood action star Carl Weathers is most known for his role as Sylvester Stallone’s adversary turned ally in the Rocky movie and its three sequels.
The 1976 film Rocky, which starred the then-unknown Stallone, was a surprising commercial and critical success that won the best picture Oscar and shot both actors to stardom.
In addition, Weathers had memorable roles as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s brazen sidekick Colonel Al Dillon in the 1987 movie Predator and as one-handed golf coach Chubbs Peterson in the Adam Sandler comedy Happy Gilmore.
Weathers most recently starred in The Mandalorian, a Star Wars spin-off series, for which he was nominated for an Emmy.
On Friday, Stallone honoured Weathers by stating that the success of the Rocky movies would not have been possible without his co-star.
Weathers, who was raised in New Orleans, played American football for the Oakland Raiders and San Diego State University before giving up the sport in 1974 to focus on acting.
Over the course of his more than 50-year Hollywood career, he made appearances in over 75 movies and TV series, according to Deadline. Weathers has two sons and was married and divorced three times.
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