Carl Weathers has had a storied career in Hollywood, spanning 50 years. The actor known for a number of impactful roles, from Apollo Creed in Rocky to Greef Karga in The Mandalorian, has passed away at the age of 76.
His family shared on Friday that Carl Weathers died on Thursday, Feburary 1. In a statement, the family shared:
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers. He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024… 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. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.
Born on January 14, 1948 in New Orleans, Weathers’ career started on the field. He played football in college and went on to play for the Raiders in 1970. Weathers retired from playing football in 1974 and turned his focus to acting. He had a number of roles prior to Rocky, but playing Apollo Creed was a break-out part for Weathers.
Over the decades, Weathers has appeared in dozens of films and television series: Predator, Happy Gilmore, Toy Story 4, Arrested Development—the list goes on. Most recently he had a recurring role in The Mandalorian as Magistrate Greef Karga. That role lead to a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. Weathers frequently stepped behind the scenes too, directing a number of episodes of TV, including two episodes of The Mandalorian.
His talents will be missed. We wish his loved ones the very best.