Remembering Carl Weathers (1948-2024)

Veteran actor Carl Weathers passed away this week at the age of 76. Before breaking into acting he played in the NFL as a Linebacker for the then Oakland Raiders. We have assembled a good but by no means definitive, list of his work to pay tribute to his career

Rocky (1976) – His breakout role was as world champion boxer Apollo Creed in Rocky. He returned for three more films in the franchise, last appearing in 1985’s Rocky IV.

Trailer for the original Rocky, where Carl Weathers played arguably his most recognizable role of Apollo Creed.

Force 10 From Navarone (1978)This sequel to the 1961 WWII epic The Guns of Navarone was nowhere near as well-received as the original, but it does have an impressive cast. In addition to Carl, the film stars the legendary Robert Shaw, 70’s sex symbol Barbara Bach, and an up-and-coming actor by the name of Harrison Ford.

Predator (1987) – Sci-Fi and Action movies were breakout genres in the 1980s and Predator was both. Carl co-starred with arguably the biggest and beefiest action hero of them all, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In addition to memorable lines like “GET TO DA CHOPPA” Predator has the manliest manshake that has been used in many memes in recent years.

In The Heat Of The Night (TV 1993-1995) – Weathers also had several TV roles as well. He joined the cast of the popular series In The Heat of the Night as Hampton Forbes alongside the former Archie Bunker, Carroll O’Connor.

Happy Gilmore (1996) – Weathers took a comedic route for a supporting role in Adam Sandler’s 1996 film Happy Gilmore. His character Chubbs famously wore a fake wooden hand after having his real hand bitten off by a crocodile.

The Mandalorian (2019-2023) – Modern audiences have been watching Weathers in the Star Wars TV series The Mandalorian. In addition to playing Greef Karga, the bounty hunter guild boss turned politician, Weathers also directed episodes in the second and third seasons.

We here at Geekville Radio extend our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the family and friends of Carl Weathers.