Sylvester Stallone expresses his gratitude towards Carl Weathers, acknowledging the privilege of being a part of his life. He pays tribute to Apollo, encouraging him to continue fighting.
In a heartfelt tribute, Sylvester Stallone honors the memory of his dear friend and fellow “Rocky” actor, Carl Weathers, who passed away at the age of 76.
Through a touching video shared on his Instagram, Stallone reminisces about their enduring partnership in the iconic “Rocky” series and their profound friendship that spanned several decades. Standing before a captivating painting portraying their legendary characters, Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed, locked in a fierce boxing match, Stallone delivers his heartfelt message.
Today is a profoundly sorrowful day for me. I am overwhelmed with emotions, making it difficult to express. I am attempting to contain my feelings as Carl Weathers held such a significant role in my life, contributing immensely to my achievements and overall success.
I wholeheartedly acknowledge and commend him for his incredible contributions. The moment he entered the room, I immediately recognized his greatness. However, I failed to comprehend the extent of his greatness,” Stallone expressed. “Without him, I could never have achieved what we did with ‘Rocky’.”
Stallone expressed his admiration for Weathers, highlighting his exceptional qualities such as his voice, size, presence, and athletic ability. However, Stallone emphasized that it was Weathers’ heart and soul that truly made him remarkable. The loss of Weathers was deeply saddening to Stallone, who described him as magical and expressed his gratitude for being a part of his life. Stallone concluded with a heartfelt message, urging Apollo to continue fighting.
Weathers played the role of Apollo Creed in the first four “Rocky” films, where he repeatedly faced off against Stallone’s iconic boxer in the ring. Although Creed’s character met his demise in “Rocky IV,” Weathers’ impact on the franchise continued through the sequel series “Creed,” featuring Michael B. Jordan as Creed’s son.
At the 2017 Golden Globes, Weathers and Stallone reunited and presented the final award of the night. Reflecting on the 40-year journey since the release of “Rocky,” Weathers expressed his disbelief, prompting Stallone to humorously remark that he couldn’t believe he let Carl Weathers win the fight considering he wrote the screenplay.
A year prior, Weathers bestowed Stallone with an accolade during the Santa Barbara Film Festival. “It is evident that he recognizes my admiration,” Weathers expressed. “I hold immense respect and gratitude for the opportunities that the initial screenplay provided me… Therefore, it is only fitting that he received the award, and I am truly thankful for being a part of this incredible journey.”
Several celebrities, such as Adam Sandler and Pedro Pascal, expressed their condolences on social media, honoring the late actor Weathers, who had collaborated with them throughout the years.
Sandler expressed his admiration for Weathers, describing him as an exceptional individual. He commended him for being an outstanding father, actor, and athlete. Sandler also emphasized the joy of being in his company, highlighting his intelligence, loyalty, and sense of humor. Weathers’ love for his sons was unparalleled, and he was adored by everyone who knew him. Sandler and his wife cherished the moments they spent with him, creating unforgettable memories. He extended his love and condolences to Weathers’ family, acknowledging that Carl will forever be remembered as a genuine legend.
Pascal, who co-starred with Weathers in the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian,” shared an image of the deceased actor on Instagram along with the words: “No words can express.” Robert Rodriguez, the director of the “Star Wars” spinoff show featuring Weathers, expressed his sorrow, stating, “I will deeply miss the incredible Carl Weathers, whom I had the privilege of collaborating with on multiple occasions. He was an exceptionally warm and giving individual. His performances were consistently captivating, and he also showcased his talent as a remarkable director in both theater and film.”
Jesse Ventura, the co-star of Carl Weathers in the movie “Predator” and later the governor of Minnesota, expressed his sorrow on X, stating, “We have suffered a great loss. Carl Weathers was an extraordinary talent, a consummate professional, and a cherished friend. My heartfelt condolences and love go out to his family. It was a pleasure collaborating with him on ‘Predator’ and subsequently commemorating the success of the film together at different conventions over the years. Thank you, Carl.”
In 1948, Weathers was born in New Orleans. Prior to his breakthrough as an actor, he had a career in professional football. He started off with minor roles in blaxploitation films such as “Bucktown” and “Friday Foster,” both directed by Arthur Marks. Additionally, he appeared in popular TV series like “Good Times,” “Kung Fu,” “Cannon,” and “Starsky and Hutch.” However, his career took a significant turn when he was cast alongside Stallone in the iconic film “Rocky.” Weathers later starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator” and even received a Primetime Emmy nomination for his work in “The Mandalorian,” where he also showcased his directing skills by helming two episodes.
Please find Stallone’s video statement below for your viewing.