Written by Michael Thervil
It is with great sadness to report to you that Carl Weathers, whose iconic role as “Apollo Creed” in Sylvester Stallone's “Rocky” series of action films has passed away at the age of 76 on Thursday, February 3 due to unknown reasons in his sleep. Carl Weathers left his mark on the world not only as a Linebacker for the NFL's Oakland Raiders in 1970 and then for the BC Lions (British Columbia Football team); but as an action movie icon.
The University of San Francisco alumni who majored in Drama (Theater), started in films such as Rocky (previously mentioned), the highly acclaimed 1987 film entitled “The Predator” staring opposite of Arnold Schwarzenegger, “Close Encounters Of The Third Kind”, “Action Jackson”, as well as appearing in Michael Jackson “Liberation Girl” music video. He's also shared the big screen with Adam Sandler in “Happy Gilmore”, “Think Like A Man Too”, and he also was casted in a role for a Star Wars spin-off as “Greef Karga” in the “Mandalorian” from 2019 to 2023. Keep in mind that he has starred in over 80 roles throughout his lifetime.
Photo Credit: AP Press
Outside of being on the big screen, Carl Weathers was also successfully cast in video games, the most famous being the character “Jax” that was created from his likeness for the “Mortal Combat” franchise. There is a lot that can be said about Carl Weathers and all of his accomplishments. But the one thing that stands out to not only us at VEDA Magazine but to just about everyone around the world is his role as “Apollo Creed” in the “Rocky” series of films. The reason why he stands out in this role is because it served as a short definition of masculinity; especially in the eyes of Black American men. His role as the character Apollo Creed was built upon being ambitious, physically fit, highly intelligent, a go getter that would never quit who earned the "Holy Trinity of Manhood" - Money, Power, & Respect. And it was that character set the tone and standard of how a man should be on and off the screen for Black American men.
We think that we can speak for everyone in the world that when his character Apollo Creed died in Rocky 3, it sent shockwaves throughout the world. And although fictional a fictional character, those shock waves of that character's death back then in the film and entertainment world can still be felt today as we have megastar Michael B. Jordan playing the role of his son in the 3-part film spin-off entitled “Creed” brought to us by both Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan. Carl Weathers is survived by his two sons and like his fictional death in Rocky 3 that broke the hearts of everyone in the world, his actual death is unfortunately doing the same. He is already and will forever be deeply missed by those in the film industry and his fans around the world.
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