Hollywood & Sports Luminaries Pay Tribute To Carl Weathers: “A Phenomenal Talent”

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Carl Weathers

Carl Weathers Getty

Carl Weathers died Tuesday at 76, it was announced today. And as the news spread, reactions began to pour forth from across Hollywood and the sports world.

Adam Sandler posted a lengthy tribute to his Happy Gilmore co-star, which read in part, “A true great man,” Sandler posted on X/Twitter. “Great dad. Great actor. Great athlete. So much fun to be around always. Smart as hell. Loyal as hell. Funny as hell.” For Sandler’s full tribute, click here

Weathers, of course, was most famous as Apollo Creed from the Rocky films, and that role — as well as his own history as a legitimate football talent who played defensive end San Diego State and linebacker for the Raiders in 1970 — lent realism to his more muscular performances that resonated with professional athletes.

Former Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III, now an ESPN football analyst, tweeted the famous training montage from Rocky III and wrote, “There is no Rocky without Apollo Creed and we were lucky that Carl brought him to life. RIP to a legend.”

Carl Weathers has passed away at the age of 76. There is no Rocky without Apollo Creed and we were lucky that Carl brought him to life. RIP to a legend. pic.twitter.com/yt2AIEl2h3

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) February 2, 2024

Jesse Ventura, who co-starred with Weathers and Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator, called Weathers “a phenomenal talent, a true professional, and a dear friend.”

We lost an icon. Carl Weathers was a phenomenal talent, a true professional, and a dear friend. All my sympathies and love to his family. I loved working with him on Predator and then celebrating that film with him at various conventions in the ensuing years.

Thank you, Carl. pic.twitter.com/29OJoe8qcu

— Jesse Ventura (@GovJVentura) February 2, 2024

Will miss the great Carl Weathers who I was very fortunate to work with on several occasions.

A very kind and generous person. His performances were always electrifying and he was also a terrific director of both stage and screen. pic.twitter.com/acvLd7yxXu

— Robert Rodriguez (@Rodriguez) February 2, 2024

Rest in peace to the truly amazing actor and entertainer, Carl Weathers. We all marveled at his talents on the big screen in the “Rocky” franchise as Apollo Creed, and I really enjoyed him in his role as the police chief in the hit TV show “In the Heat of the Night”! Cookie and I…

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 2, 2024

RIP to the legend Carl Weathers. This moment, your delivery of it in Rocky inspired me the moment I heard it. I live my life by it. Your voice and performance gave me belief. I love you for that. Rest in peace & power man. pic.twitter.com/AfGU4HLIZt

— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) February 2, 2024

We are saddened to learn of Carl Weathers passing. 'Rocky.' 'Predator.' 'The Mandalorian.' Much more. Weathers was a dedicated & passionate performer whose career spanned 5 decades. Our condolences to his family & friends. RIP. #SagAftraMember since 1973 https://t.co/fhEuhzeSAn

— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) February 2, 2024

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