02 February 2024 , 19:48
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Carl Weathers, best known for his role as Creed in the Rocky film franchise, has died at the age of 76.
The actor, who starred along side Sylvester Stallone, died on Tuesday his manager Matt Luber confirmed. In a statement, Carl's family remembered him as a "beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend".
"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers," the statement read. "He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life."
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Carl Weathers has sadly died (Getty Images)
He was best known for his role as Creed in the Rocky film franchise (Getty Images)They also said his work will be remembered for generations. The statement, shared with the Daily Mail, continued: "Through 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."
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The Hollywood star started off as a professional football player before shooting to fame as heavyweight champion of the world Apollo Creed in the 1976 film Rocky. In the iconic film, Creed gave Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) his shot at the title.
Carl reprised the role in 1979's Rocky II in which Creed had a title rematch with Rocky. 1982's Rocky III, he then went head to head with Clubber Lang (played by Mr. T). In a shocking moment, Carl's character was killed off in 1984's Rocky IV by Russian heavyweight Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren).
Carl managed to land a part in the Rocky film franchise in a rather unique way. "There was nobody to read with, and they said you’re going to read with the writer [Stallone]. And we read through the scene and at the end of it, I didn't feel like it had really sailed, that the scene had sailed, and they were quiet and there was this moment of awkwardness, I felt, anyway," he recalled.
The actor starred alongside Sylvester Stallone"So I just blurted out, 'I could do a lot better if you got me a real actor to work with'. So I just insulted the star of the movie without really knowing it and not intending to," he told The Hollywood Reporter.
Carl was also known for his role in The Mandalorian and received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his performance. Tributes have been pouring in for Carl, with Pedro Pascal writing on Instagram : "Words fail," adding a broken heart emoji.
Adam Sandler wrote: "A true great man. Great dad. Great actor. Great athlete. So much fun to be around always. Smart as hell. Loyal as hell. Funny as hell. Loved his sons more than anything. What a guy!! Everyone loved him. My wife and I had the best times with him every time we saw him. Love to his entire family and Carl will always be known as a true legend."
Fans have also been sharing tributes to Carl on social media. "Rest in peace carl weathers. apollo creed was one of the best and coolest characters I’ve ever seen! it doesn’t get much better than the end of the rocky III training montage," one person wrote on X. Another posted: "RIP Carl Weathers. A movie titan of my childhood."
A third fan wrote: "Legend doesn't cover it, RIP Carl Weathers," while another fan added: "His movies helped form the bond with my dad growing up." Carl is survived by sons Jason and Matthew, who he shared with ex-wife Mary Ann Castle, and his grandchildren.