Carl Weathers, ‘Rocky’s’ Apollo Creed and ‘Mandalorian’ Actor, Dies at 76

 Regrettably, Carl Weathers, renowned for portraying Apollo Creed in the initial four "Rocky" films, has passed away at the age of 76. His diverse career included memorable roles in "Predator" and Adam Sandler's "Happy Gilmore," as well as nominations for his work in "The Mandalorian" and "Toy Story 4." His contributions spanned across television series like "Arrested Development" and "The Shield," showcasing his versatility in the entertainment industry.

Following his collaboration with Sandler on the 1996 comedy "Happy Gilmore," Carl Weathers made brief returns in "Little Nicky" and lent his voice to an animated character in Sandler's "Eight Crazy Nights." Born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Weathers displayed his athleticism across various sports, including boxing, football, soccer, wrestling, and gymnastics. While studying theatre arts at San Diego State University, he also played football and even joined the Oakland Raiders as a free agent in 1970, participating in the NFL as a linebacker for two seasons.

After his football career, Carl Weathers shifted towards acting, securing roles in blaxploitation films like "Bucktown" and "Friday Foster," along with appearances in TV series such as "Good Times," "Kung Fu," "Cannon," and "Starsky and Hutch." Notably, in "Predator," he starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jesse Ventura. Weathers also hosted "Saturday Night Live" in 1988 and returned for a humorous political spoof years later based on his role in "Predator."

Interestingly, when Sylvester Stallone sought to use footage of Weathers in "Rocky Balboa," Weathers insisted on an actual role, leading to a lookalike being hired for flashbacks. Although initially refusing, Weathers later reconciled with Stallone, permitting the use of his likeness in the "Creed" sequel series.