Sylvester Stallone took to social media to comment on the death of Carl Weathers – and was clearly struggling to keep his composure. “Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I’m so upset I can’t even tell you. Carl was such an integral part of my life, my success. When he walked into the room and I saw him for the first time, I felt greatness. But I didn’t realize how great. Without him I would never have been able to achieve what we achieved with ‘Rocky’. He was absolutely brilliant, his voice, his size, his strength, his athletic ability, but more importantly his heart, his soul.”
“We lost a legend yesterday. My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest in power and keeping punching,” Sly captioned his Instagram post. It’s no coincidence that the video shot shows him in front of a painting – it shows the freeze frame from “Rocky 3” when Rocky and his old opponent – and now trainer – Apollo Creed (played by Weathers) start to punch on both sides at the end of the film It remains unclear who will win the friendly fight.
Stallone continued: “It’s a terrible loss. And I’m standing here in front of this picture because it was probably the last moment we were in the ring together and I’ll never forget it. He was magical. And I was lucky enough to be part of his life.”
Another 1980s action star previously condoled Weathers’ death.
On 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.”
Arnie also posted a picture of him and Weathers from the same 1987 film.
Weathers was the only action star to contend with Schwarzenegger, Stallone (“Rocky I-IV”) and the “Mandalorian.” Arnie: “An extraordinary athlete, a fantastic actor and a great person. We couldn’t have made Predator without him. And we certainly wouldn’t have had such a wonderful time filming.” Every minute with him – on and off set was pure joy. He was the kind of friend that pushed you to do your best just to keep up with him. I will miss him and my thoughts are with his family.”