In a somber turn of events, Hollywood stars Dolph Lundgren and Michael B. Jordan have paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Carl Weathers, renowned for his iconic role as Apollo Creed in the ‘Rocky’ film series.
Dolph Lundgren, who shared the screen with Weathers in the 1985 film ‘Rocky IV,’ expressed his sorrow at the news, describing Weathers as a great actor, a remarkable athlete, and a cherished friend. Lundgren reminisced about their shared experiences, both professionally and personally, highlighting Weathers’ special charm reminiscent of his on-screen persona, Apollo Creed.
The news of Carl Weathers’ passing at the age of 76 was confirmed by his family, who released a statement on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. The statement conveyed that Weathers passed away peacefully in his sleep, emphasizing his exceptional contributions to film, television, the arts, and sports. Acknowledging his global recognition across generations, the family described Carl Weathers as a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.
Weathers, best known for portraying Apollo Creed, the charismatic heavyweight champion in the original ‘Rocky’ film, continued to leave an indelible mark on the franchise through ‘Rocky II,’ ‘Rocky III,’ and ‘Rocky IV,’ where his character met a tragic end in the ring against Dolph Lundgren’s Ivan Drago.
Actor Michael B. Jordan, who played Apollo Creed’s son Adonis ‘Donnie’ Creed in the 2015 sequel ‘Creed,’ also shared his condolences on social media. Posting a picture of Weathers on his Instagram story, Jordan captioned it with a poignant statement: “We lost a legend.”
Carl Weathers’ demise marks the end of an era, leaving fans, colleagues, and the entertainment industry mourning the loss of a multifaceted talent and a beloved figure.