Sylvester Stallone, the iconic actor and star of the “Rocky” series, has paid a touching tribute to his longtime friend and co-star, Carl Weathers, who passed away at the age of 76.
In an emotional video posted on his Instagram, Stallone reminisced about their enduring partnership throughout the “Rocky” films and their decades-long friendship. Standing in front of a painting capturing their characters, Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed, facing off in the ring, Stallone expressed the profound impact Weathers had on his life and success.
Stallone shared, “Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I’m so torn up, I can’t even tell you. I’m just trying to hold it in because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success—everything about it. I give him incredible credit and kudos. 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 never could’ve accomplished what we did with ‘Rocky’ without him.”
Describing Weathers as absolutely brilliant, Stallone praised his voice, size, presence, athletic ability, heart, and soul. He referred to Weathers as magic and expressed his gratitude for having been a part of his life. Stallone concluded his tribute with a poignant message, “Apollo, keep punching.”
Weathers portrayed Apollo Creed in the first four “Rocky” films, a character who repeatedly faced off against Stallone’s Rocky Balboa in the ring. Although Apollo’s story came to an end in “Rocky IV,” Weathers’ legacy continued in the sequel series “Creed,” where Michael B. Jordan portrayed Apollo’s son.
The bond between Stallone and Weathers extended beyond the screen, as evidenced by their reunion at the 2017 Golden Globes. Reflecting on their forty-year journey since the original “Rocky,” Weathers humorously remarked, “Yeah, and I can’t believe I let you win the fight considering I wrote the screenplay.”
Many stars who had the privilege of working alongside Weathers also took to social media to pay tribute. Adam Sandler described Weathers as a great man, actor, athlete, and a joy to be around. Pedro Pascal, who acted with Weathers in “The Mandalorian,” simply found that words failed to express his sorrow. Robert Rodriguez, director of the “Star Wars” spinoff series, praised Weathers’ electrifying performances and his kindness as a person.
Carl Weathers had an illustrious career that began with small roles in blaxploitation movies and TV series. However, his life changed forever when he was cast alongside Stallone in the iconic film “Rocky.” Weathers went on to star in films such as “Predator,” alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, and earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for his work on “The Mandalorian,” which he also directed two episodes of.
The news of Carl Weathers’ passing has left the entertainment industry mourning the loss of a true legend. Stallone’s heartfelt tribute is a testament to the profound impact Weathers had on his life and the world of cinema. Weathers’ legacy will continue to live on through his unforgettable characters and the memories shared by those fortunate enough to have worked with him.