On Friday February 2nd, 2024 the saddening news of legendary actor Carl Weathers’ untimely passing was announced to the public. Weathers rose to stardom with his breakout role as world heavyweight champion boxer, Apollo Creed in Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky franchise. Weathers played a major part in the first four films (1976-1985). Creed became his defining and most well known role, but didn’t stop him from taking on numerous different kinds of roles after his departure from the Rocky franchise. In the 80’s he began starring in major action films, most notably co-starring alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger as Colonel Al Dillon in 1987’s Predator. His career continued to evolve with roles such as Chubbs in Happy Gilmore (1996), Combat Carl in the Toy Story franchise, and even joining the Star Wars universe in his role of Greef Karga in the critically acclaimed series The Mandalorian for which he was nominated for an Emmy. Most recently he appeared in a series of Fanduel commercials with former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski, one of which aired during the Superbowl this past Sunday. 

This is not Weathers’ only connection to the NFL as he had a short lived career as a linebacker for the Oakland Raiders across the 1970 and 1971 seasons before retiring and changing his career path to become an actor. At this time there has been no established cause of death and in an official statement from his family it was stated that he passed away peacefully in his sleep. He is survived by his sons Matthew and Jason.