Carl Weathers, Apollo Creed from Rocky movies, passes away

Carl Weathers, a former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star, has died at the age of 76.

He played Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movies, as well as acting against Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator” and teaching golf in “Happy Gilmore”.

In a statement, his manager Matt Luber said the actor breathed his last peacefully in his sleep on Thursday.

“We are deeply saddened to announce his [Carl Weathers] passing,” the manager Matt Luber said.

However, the statement did not reveal any cause behind his death.

Weathers had a long and varied acting career and displayed a range of over 80 film and television credits. His acting took him far beyond the boxing ring.

The former NFL linebacker memorably parodied himself as an acting coach on the sitcom “Arrested Development.”

He was the voice of Combat Carl in “Toy Story 4”. The actor also played Greef Karga in the “Star Wars” and television series “The Mandalorian”.

He also earned an Emmy Award nomination in 2021 for outstanding guest actor in a drama series.

Mr Weathers earned laughs as Chubbs, who had been a star of the professional circuit before he lost his hand in an alligator attack.

After the release in 1976 of “Rocky,” Weathers reprised his role in the next three instalments. Moreover, The Rocky was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won three, including best picture.

Weathers briefly reprised his role in “Little Nicky” and voiced a character in Sandler’s animated Hanukkah comedy “Eight Crazy Nights,” after working with Sandler on the 1996 golf comedy “Happy Gilmore”.

He was born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans.

Weathers played boxing, football, soccer, wrestling, and gymnastics.

The actor played football in college at San Diego State University. He also helped the Aztecs win the 1969 Pasadena Bowl.

Weathers also pursued a degree in theatre arts, but he signed with the Oakland Raiders as a free agent in 1970.

He played in eight games in the NFL as a linebacker across two seasons.