Carl Weathers, the former NFL player who made his mark in Hollywood as the boxer Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films and with appearances in such other films as Predator, Happy Gilmore and The Mandalorian, has died. He was 76.
Weathers died Thursday in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles, his manager Matt Luber, announced in a statement.
“Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life,” they said. “Through his contributions to film, television, the arts 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.”
Weathers also portrayed Det. Beaudreaux on the 1991-1993 syndicated cop show Street Justice; the chief of police Hampton Forbes on the final two seasons of CBS’ In the Heat of the Night (1992-1994); a caricature of himself on episodes of Fox’s Arrested Development from 2004-13; and Combat Carl in Toy Story 4 (2019).
Weathers was enjoying a late career renaissance and building a new generation of fans thanks to his work in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian. He played Greef Karga, a bounty hunter-turned-government official who is one of the title character’s ally. It’s a role that thrust him into Star Wars fandom, putting him in the autograph and photo lines at conventions such as Star Wars Celebration in London.
He was also taking steps into building a directing career, helming two episodes of The Mandalorian as well as installments of Law & Order and Chicago Med.
Born in New Orleans on Jan. 14, 1948, Weathers boxed, wrestled and was involved in football, gymnastics, soccer and other sports at St. Augustine High School in San Diego and at Long Beach Poly High School.
He starred as a defensive end at Long Beach City College before transferring to San Diego State University, where he helped the Aztecs to a 11-0 record in 1968. He went on to play for the NFL’s Oakland Raiders in 1970-71 and for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League from 1971-73.
During offseasons, he attended San Francisco State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in drama in 1974, the year he gave up football.
More to come.