Rocky star Carl Weathers' cause of death announced after actor died in his sleep

10 February 2024 , 08:18

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Carl Weathers died aged 76

Carl Weathers' official cause of death has been revealed after the actor died earlier this month at the age of 76.

Carl, well-known for his role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise, died at his home in California on February 2. The beloved actor died in his sleep, with his cause of death now being revealed as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

In a statement announcing the tragic news of Carl's death, his family remembered him as a "beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend". The statement read: "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers. 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 died in his sleep (AFP via Getty Images)

They also said his work will be remembered for generations. The statement 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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According to his death certificate, which was obtained by The Blast, Carl had been battling atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease for years. The certificate listed Carl's son, Matthew Weathers, as the person who notified authorities of his death. The actor was then cremated.

Tributes poured in following Carl's death, with his Rocky co-star Sylvester Stallone holding back tears in an emotional video. In a clip shared on Instagram, Sylvester stood in front of a multi-coloured painting of Rocky and Apollo fighting in the boxing ring. He captioned the post: "We lost a legend yesterday. My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest in power and keeping punching."

The beloved actor was well-known for his role in Rocky

Sylvester Stallone paid tribute to his friend

In the video, the actor was visibly shaken as he said: "Hello everyone. Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I mean, I'm so torn up I cant even tell you. I'm just trying to hold it in because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success. Everything about it, I give him incredible credit and kudos because when he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness but I didn't realize how great."

"I never could have accomplished what we did with Rocky without him," Sly continued, "He was absolutely brilliant, his voice, his size, his power, his athletic ability, but more importantly his heart, his soul."

He then started getting choked up, tripping over his words. "It's...it's a horrible loss and I'm standing here in front of this painting because it was probably the last moment we were ever in the ring together and I'll never forget it," he said. "He was magic and I was so fortunate to be a part of his life. So Apollo, keep punching."

Carl was also known for starring alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator. Arnold shared his own tribute, writing on social media: "Carl Weathers will always be a legend. An extraordinary athlete, a fantastic actor, and a great person."

Carl suffered from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease for years (@Rocky/youtube)

"We couldn’t have made Predator without him," he continued. "And we certainly wouldn’t have had such a wonderful time making it. Every minute with him - on set and off - was pure joy. He was the type of friend who pushes you to be your best just to keep up with him. I’ll miss him, and my thoughts are with his family."

Carl 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.

Rocky star Carl Weathers dead at 76

"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.

Scarlett O'Toole