Carl Weathers, The 'Rocky' And 'Predator' Star, Dies At The Age Of 76

Carl Weathers, the legendary actor and former professional football player, passed away at the age of 76 on Thursday.

Weathers’ family told Deadline that the actor known for his roles in "Predator," "Happy Gilmore," "Arrested Development," and countless other movies and TV shows died peacefully in his sleep.

"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers," his family said in a statement. "He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 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 worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend."

Born in New Orleans in 1948, Weathers played professional football for parts of four seasons between the NFL and CFL. While playing for the CFL’s BC Lions, he earned a degree in drama from San Francisco State University in the offseason. That helped launch him into a wildly successful career on the big screen, both in movies and television.

But of all the roles he landed, Weathers’ best work came while playing Apollo Creed in the "Rocky" franchise.

Weathers perfectly encapsulated Creed, a confident, talented fighter brimming with swagger that served as the perfect foil character for Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky. For the first two films, he was the villain you couldn’t quite bring yourself to hate. For the third and fourth films, he was Rocky’s inspiration to continue boxing, even after he died in the ring at the hands of Ivan Drago. The franchise wouldn’t have been the same without him.

Fans across social media paid tribute to his iconic performance in some of the best sports movies of all time.

And let’s not forget how this scene in "Predator" gave us one of the most popular meme templates of all-time. You'll know it when you see it.

Weathers wasn’t just loved for his impact on the entertainment industry. Many of his co-workers remembered him as an exceptional person.

Jesse Ventura, another "Predator" star, paid tribute to a man he called a "dear friend."

Adam Sandler, his co-star in "Happy Gilmore," remembered Weathers as an extraordinary person, not just an actor.

Jon Farveau, who directed "The Mandalorian" series, also posted a heartwarming message to honor the iconic actor.

Weathers left an indelible legacy on American pop culture and those who knew him. He will be sorely missed.