Carl Weathers’ Cause of Death: How Did the Apollo Creed Actor Die?
Carl Weathers, the charismatic actor best known for playing rival-turned-friend Apollo Creed in the Rocky film series, died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 76, his family announced. Weathers enjoyed a long and varied acting career across film and television, leaving behind iconic performances that spanned generations of movie fans. Weathers had reportedly been in good health in recent years while continuing to take on acting roles.
How Did Carl Weathers Die?
The cause of Carl Weathers’ death has not been disclosed. His family stated only that he “died peacefully in his sleep” at the age of 76. He most recently appeared as Greef Karga on the hit Star Wars television series The Mandalorian, for which he earned an Emmy nomination in 2021.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” read a statement from Weathers’ family released by Deadline. “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.”
Without a doubt, Carl Weathers was best known globally for originating the role of Apollo Creed in the enormously successful Rocky boxing film franchise. He first played the trash-talking heavyweight champion who squares off against working-class boxer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) in the 1976 Best Picture winner Rocky. Weathers would go on to reprise his signature role of Creed in Rocky sequels Rocky II, Rocky III, and Rocky IV before his character was tragically killed in the ring during an exhibition fight gone wrong.
Although the character was killed off, Apollo Creed had become an indelible part of pop culture and cemented Weathers’ place in film history. His over-the-top showmanship and eventual friendship with Rocky made him a beloved fan favorite. Nearly 50 years since first playing Creed, the character remains Weathers’ most iconic performance.
What Other Famous Roles Did He Play?
While Rocky was his most memorable role, Weathers demonstrated his impressive range in a career spanning over 150 credits across film and television over nearly five decades. He memorably spoofed himself playing a cheapskate acting mentor on the sitcom Arrested Development. Generations of children also grew up hearing Weathers voice the action figure Combat Carl in Toy Story 4.
In the 1996 Adam Sandler comedy Happy Gilmore, Weathers earned plenty of laughs playing the gritty one-handed golf pro-Chubbs, who had lost his hand to an alligator attack. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Weathers matched muscle and machismo with fellow action star Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1987 blockbuster Predator. He also led 1988’s Action Jackson as a tough Detroit cop taking on the auto industry mob.
What Was His Football Career Before Acting?
Before becoming a famous face on the big screen, Weathers enjoyed a successful football career as a standout defensive player in both college and the NFL. He played linebacker for San Diego State under legendary coach Don Coryell. Although his college career was impacted by knee injuries, he still attracted enough pro scouts’ attention to play seven games with the Oakland Raiders in 1970.
In the end, acting has always been Weathers’ true passion since childhood. Football may have only been a brief chapter in his extraordinary life, but it surely left him with the tough physical presence that Hollywood took notice of. After retiring from football, this “highly-developed-upper-torso” athlete, as The New York Times once described Weathers’ heroic screen persona, soon became a go-to action star of the 1980s box office – even if he was capable of much greater depth as a performer.
