Apollo Creed is dead: Carl Weathers was 76

Rocky’s best enemy in the cinema for a decade, the actor moved into the world of Star Wars with The Mandalorian.

He lost his last fight. Carl Weathers died this Thursday, according to a press release released by his family last night. The exact causes of his death have not been revealed. He was 76 years old.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers. He passed away peacefully in his sleep this Thursday, February 1, 2024 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 recognized around the world for generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend.”

Carl Weathers will forever remain as the legendary Apollo Creed of the films Rockyfabulous boxer made in the USA, who entered the ring to the sound of “living in America”, wrapped in the star-spangled banner.

A former professional US football player, formerly with the Oakland Raiders, he arrived in the cinema by playing Rocky Balboa’s first rival in the ring, during the first two episodes. A role that he held from 1976 to 1985, and which will evolve. Since from Rocky IIIApollo Creed will become the boxer’s friend, then his reason to fight in Rocky IV, against Ivan Drago. In the franchise, he was also the father of the character played by Michael B. Jordan in the films Creed.

After hanging up the gloves, Carl Weathers fought the aliens in Predator (1987), before moving to the small screen in the 1990s, particularly in detective series Street Justice, In the heat of the Night then in comedy Arrested Development.

We found it again in the 2020s in the universe Star Wars. He played Greef Karga, friend of The Mandaloriana political character who returned in several episodes and who was to return in the upcoming season 4…

Sylvester Stallone posted a video on Instagram. Visibly moved by this disappearance, the Rocky actor testifies to how much Carl Weathers counted for him:

“Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I’m so torn I can’t even say it. I’m just trying to remember that Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, of my success. I owe him a lot . Because when I first saw him, I saw his greatness. But I didn’t realize how great he was. I could never have accomplished what we did with Rocky without him.”