Actor Carl Weathers, who portrayed Sylvester Stallone’s boxing nemesis-turned-friend and mentor Apollo Creed in four “Rocky” films, has died at age 76, his family announced today.
In a statement to Deadline, the family said Weathers “died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday.”
“Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life,” his family 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.”
No other details were immediately released.
Weathers was born in New Orleans but eventually moved to California and attended Long Beach Poly High School, where he played football before graduating in 1966.
He briefly attended Long Beach City College before transferring to San Diego State where he played on the undefeated 1969 Aztec football team before signing with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent. He later played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League before retiring and pursuing an acting career.