Carl Weathers, the actor who played Apollo Creed in the Rocky trilogy, died on February 1, 2024, at age 76. He was not only a Hollywood legend but also a former football player and film director. How did he acquire his riches, and what did he spend it on?
From Football to Film
Carl Weathers was born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in an impoverished home and developed an interest in sports and theater. He attended San Diego State University and played football as a linebacker.
The Oakland Raiders selected him in the first round of the 1970 draft, but he only played in eight games over two seasons. He then joined the Canadian Football League, where he played for the British Columbia Lions from 1971 to 1973. Carl Weathers, on the other hand, had more ambitious goals than football.
He aspired to be an actor, so he quit the sport in 1974 and relocated to Los Angeles. He pursued acting classes and obtained minor roles in television shows and films including Good Times, Kung Fu, and Friday Foster.
His breakthrough came in 1976, when he auditioned for the role of Apollo Creed, Rocky Balboa’s rival and later friend, in the hit film Rocky. He landed the role after impressing both the director and the star, Sylvester Stallone, with his personality and body.
Carl Weathers repeated his role as Apollo Creed in the next three Rocky movies, becoming one of the series’ most recognizable characters. He also appeared in several action films, including Predator, Action Jackson, and Hurricane Smith. He made millions of dollars via his film appearances, sponsorships, and commercials.
What was Carl Weathers’ Net Worth and Salary?
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) February 2, 2024
Behind the Camera and Beyond
Carl Weathers also dabbled with directing and producing, broadening his abilities and revenue. He directed episodes of TV shows including Silk Stalkings, Hawaii Five-0, and Chicago Med.
He also produced films like The Defiant Ones, Fortune Dane, and Always Night. In 2018, he wrote and produced the short film A Burger and a Bullet.
Carl Weathers continued to act in a variety of genres, including comedy, drama, and animation. He portrayed himself in the cult comedy series Arrested Development, where he played a thrifty and quirky acting coach.
He has also voiced characters in animated films and television shows, including Toy Story of Terror, The Cleveland Show, and Star vs. the Forces of Evil. He received a Behind the Voice Actors Award in 2014 for his performance in Toy Story of Terror.
Carl Weathers joined the cast of The Mandalorian, a Star Wars spin-off series on Disney+, in 2019. He portrayed Greef Karga, the chief of a bounty-hunting guild and an associate of the title character. He also directed an episode from the second season, which aired in 2020.
Philanthropy and Personal Life
Carl Weathers was not just an accomplished entertainer but also a generous philanthropist. He supported several causes and charities, including UNICEF, Feeding America, and Black Lives Matter. He also gave to his alma mater, San Diego State University, and founded a scholarship fund for promising performers.
Carl Weathers has been married three times and has two sons. His first wife, Mary Ann Castle, whom he married in 1973, divorced in 1983. Rhona Unsell was his second wife, whom he married in 1984 and divorced in 2006.
His third wife, Jennifer Peterson, whom he married in 2007, divorced in 2009. From 2012 until 2014, he dated actress Kathie Lee Gifford.
Carl Weathers died peacefully in his sleep on February 1, 2024, in his Venice, California, home. He was surrounded by family and friends, who released a statement saying, “Carl was an incredible human being who lived an extraordinary life.
He has made an unmistakable influence on movies, television, the arts, and sports and is renowned globally and across generations.
He was a devoted brother, father, grandpa, partner, and friend.” Carl Weathers was a diverse and gifted actor, director, producer, and athlete. He left a legacy of remarkable performances as well as an $8 million fortune. His followers and loved ones will remember and miss him.
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