Actor Carl Weathers, best known for his role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky series, passed away at the age of 76 on Thursday, February 1. Fans have been sharing behind-the-scenes footage of Weathers practicing fight scenes with Sylvester Stallone, who played Rocky Balboa in the series. In the original Rocky film, Creed gave Balboa a shot at the heavyweight title, and over the course of four films, the characters became friends and mentors to each other. A three-minute video of Weathers and Stallone practicing the climactic fight scene from the first film, as well as Weathers discussing how he studied footage of heavyweight boxers in preparation for the role, has been circulating online.
Following the news of Weathers’ passing, Stallone posted a video on Instagram in which he called the actor an “integral part” of his life and career, saying he saw greatness in him when they first met but didn’t realize just how great he was. Dolph Lundgren, who played Ivan Drago, the character that ultimately killed Apollo Creed in Rocky IV, described Weathers as a “great actor, a terrific athlete, and a good friend,” saying he had a special charm that always brought a smile to people’s faces. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred alongside Weathers in the action film Predator, called him “an extraordinary athlete, a fantastic actor, and a great person.”
Weathers also appeared in other films such as Happy Gilmore and The Mandalorian, and his passing has led to an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues alike. While he will be remembered for his iconic role as Apollo Creed, Weathers’ impact on the film industry and on those who knew him personally will not be forgotten
Read the full article on NME here: Read More