Actor Carl Weathers Passes Away At Age 76

Despite everything else that he accomplished in his amazing life, Carl Weathers will probably always be remembered as Apollo Creed.

Sure, he played in the NFL.

Sure, he was a major part of the Star Wars universe.

Sure, Happy Gilmore wouldn't have been nearly as good without him.

But the thing for which most fans remember Carl is his iconic role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky films, a series which is still cranking out films to this day.

The latest films might not still be starring Weathers and Sylvester Stallone, but the fact that the franchise is still around at all is a testament to just how much of an impact the original films had on America and the rest of the world.

Without Carl Weathers, the series may have never reached the heights it did.

It's not a stretch to say that we'd be living in a different world if we'd never been blessed with Carl Weathers' talents, and now we mourn his death.

"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers. He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024," his family said. "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."