Sylvester Stallone Pays Tribute to Carl Weathers: 'I Feel Lucky to Have Shared a Chapter of His Life. Apollo, Keep Fighting

In a heartfelt Instagram video posted on Friday evening, Sylvester Stallone pays tribute to his longtime friend and co-star, Carl Weathers, who passed away at the age of 76. Standing in front of a painting depicting their iconic characters, Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed, Stallone recalls their enduring partnership throughout the "Rocky" series and their decades-long friendship.

Expressing deep sadness, Stallone acknowledges Weathers' significant role in his life and success, crediting him for his incredible contributions. He reflects on the first time he saw Weathers, recognizing greatness, not just in his voice, size, and athletic ability, but also in his heart and soul. Stallone emphasizes the profound loss and describes Weathers as magical, expressing gratitude for being part of his life. The message concludes with a poignant nod to Apollo Creed: "Apollo, keep punching."

Weathers, known for portraying Apollo Creed in the first four "Rocky" films, left a lasting legacy in the franchise. Despite Creed's demise in "Rocky IV," his character continued through the "Creed" sequel series, featuring Michael B. Jordan as Creed's son.

The article highlights memorable moments between Stallone and Weathers, including their reunion at the 2017 Golden Globes and Weathers presenting Stallone with an award at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.

Several stars, such as Adam Sandler and Pedro Pascal, took to social media to honor Weathers. Sandler praised Weathers as a great man, actor, and athlete, emphasizing his intelligence, loyalty, and humor. Pascal, who worked with Weathers on "The Mandalorian," shared a photo with a caption expressing the inadequacy of words.

Additional tributes poured in from Robert Rodriguez, Jesse Ventura, and others who had the privilege of working with Weathers. Born in 1948 in New Orleans, Weathers initially played professional football before transitioning to acting, earning recognition for his roles in "Rocky," "Predator," and a Primetime Emmy nomination for "The Mandalorian," where he also directed two episodes. The article concludes by acknowledging Weathers' impactful career and expressing condolences to his family.

                                                                                                                   

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