Sylvester Stallone honors 'Rocky' costar Carl Weathers after death
Sylvester Stallone, Carl Weathers.
Getty Images (2)Sylvester Stallone pays tribute to Rocky Co-star Carl Weers after his death.
“This is an incredibly sad day for me. I'm so torn I can't even tell you,” Stallone, 77, said on Friday, February 2. Instagram video. “Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success and everything around it. I give him incredible praise and compliments because when he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness, but I didn't realize how great. I could never have achieved what we did with it Rocky without him.”
Stallone called the late actor “brilliant” in his “voice, his size, his strength, his athleticism” but “most importantly in his heart and soul.” He called Weathers' death a “terrible loss” and pointed to the painting behind him showing Stallone and Weathers in their final on-screen match as Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed, respectively, during the 1976 film.
“It was probably the last moment we were ever in the ring together and I'll never forget it,” he said of the famous scene. “He was magical and I was lucky to be part of his life. So, Apollo, keep hitting.”
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Alongside the heartfelt video, Stallone captioned the post: “We lost a legend yesterday. My life changed forever for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest in power and keep punching.
Weathers' family confirmed earlier on friday that the Predator star had died at the age of 76.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” they wrote in a statement Deadline. “He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1, 2024. Carl was an exceptional person who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, art 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.”
Weathers got his start in acting by scoring small roles in films like Bucktown and Friday Foster before landing his first major gig opposite Stallone in Rocky as Apollo Creed. He reprized the role in the next three installments of the franchise: Rocky II, Rocky III And Rocky IV.
His career also included notable roles in films like Predator, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Death hunting And The comebacks. In 2021, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work on Disney+'s Star Wars series The Mandalorian. Weathers is survived by his ex-wife, Mary Ann Castle, and their two sons.