Carl Weathers, who played linebacker in the NFL and went on to feature in action flicks and comedies in Hollywood, died at the age of 76.
Famous roles for Weathers include Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” films and his role as a golf instructor in “Happy Gilmore.” He was equally at home in big-budget films like “Action Jackson” and small-screen comedies like “Arrested Development.”
In 1987, Weathers joined Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse Ventura, and many more in the action flick “Predator,” where Weathers proudly displayed his pecs. He went on to star in “Chicago Justice,” a 2017 spin-off series created by Dick Wolf, and received an Emmy nomination for “The Mandalorian” in 2021. In the “Toy Story” series, he provided the voice for Combat Carl.
Weathers began appearing in plays while still in elementary school and subsequently reconciled with his first love. After starring on the gridiron at San Diego State University, he spent two years in the CFL while simultaneously completing his degree at San Francisco State University in the summers. In 1974, he earned a bachelor’s degree in drama.
Weathers appeared in a number of films and TV episodes before landing his breakout role as Apollo Creed.
On television, he worked on “Good Times,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “In the Heat of the Night,” and “Starsky & Hutch.” In subsequent years, he honed his directing chops and directed “Silk Stalkings.” He also was behind the camera for the “Renegade” show, starring Lorenzo Lamas. Weathers also directed an episode of “The Mandalorian” from season three.
A new generation was introduced to the actor through his portrayal of an opportunistic and exceedingly frugal actor who becomes entangled with the dysfunctional clan central to the popular series “Arrested Development.”
Tobias Funke, played by David Cross, is a talentless and delusional thespian, and the Weathers character, who enjoys saving money by creating soup from wasted food, agrees to instruct Funke’s acting.
Two sons survive Carl Weathers.
