As we reported yesterday, actor Carl Weathers has died.
While many celebrities had kind words for Weathers, “Rocky” star Sylvester Stallone’s tribute to his memory was truly touching.
Stallone remembers meeting Weathers for the first time and immediately knowing he was a star.
The variety has details:
Speaking through a video posted to his Instagram Friday night, Stallone recalled his longtime collaboration with Weathers, through the “Rocky” series and their decades-long friendship. The star gave the message as she stood in front of a painting depicting their characters, Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed, facing off in the ring.
“Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I’m so devastated I can’t even tell you. I’m just trying to hold on to it because Carl Weathers has been an integral part of my life, my success – for all of that, I give him incredible credit and kudos. Because when he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness. But I didn’t realize how amazing it was,” Stallone said. “I could never have accomplished what we did with ‘Rocky’ without him.”
“He was absolutely brilliant: his voice, his size, his presence, his athletic ability, but, above all, his heart, his soul. It’s a horrible loss,” Stallone said. “He was magical. I was so lucky to be a part of his life. Apollo, keep punching.
Weathers starred in the first four “Rocky” films as Apollo Creed, who repeatedly faces Stallone’s titular boxer in the ring. Although Creed dies in “Rocky IV,” Weathers’ legacy on the series lives on in the sequel series “Creed,” which stars Michael B. Jordan as Creed’s son.
Watch the video below:
Sylvester Stallone has a heartfelt message about Carl Weathers. It’s worth it. pic.twitter.com/e9KWBeY415
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) February 3, 2024
A fitting tribute from a great friend. We will miss the weather.