Carl Weathers, a legendary protagonist of action cinema, died on February 1, 2024. As Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” films, he fought first against, then with, Sylvester Stallone. He appeared in “Predator” with Arnold Schwarzenegger and most recently played a supporting role in “The Mandalorian” (a series he also directed). Now fans of Weathers are naturally wondering why the American actor died.
Carl Weathers: “Sleep peacefully”
As his family said in an official statement, Weathers “died peacefully in his sleep” at the age of 76. There was no official information about an illness.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” the family wrote. “He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1, 2024. … Carl was an extraordinary 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.”
Colleagues pay tribute
Celebrity colleagues such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone paid tribute to their friend in statements. “Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success… I give him incredible credit. When he walked into the room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness, but I didn’t realize how great,” Stallone explained in a video.
“Carl Weathers will always be a legend. An extraordinary athlete, a fantastic actor and a great human being. We couldn’t have made Predator without him. And we certainly wouldn’t have had such a wonderful time filming it. Every minute with him – on set and off – was pure joy,” wrote Arnold Schwarzenegger in a series of tweets.
“He was the kind of friend who pushes you to do your best just to keep up with him. “I will miss him and my thoughts are with his family,” the action star continued.