Ever wondered who the guy behind the famous moustache in Rocky and Predator is? That is Carl Weathers! He was not always an actor though. The biography below tells the story of how Carl went from being a football star to becoming a Hollywood legend. You will learn about his most famous roles and the interesting steps that led him there. Read on to know more about this Hollywood giant.
Carl Weathers Bio
Carl Weathers was an American actor, director and former gridiron football player who left his mark on both the big and small screens with famous roles like:
- Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films(1976-1985), the charismatic and flamboyant boxer who becomes Rocky Balboa’s rival and ultimately, friend.
- Colonel AI Dillon in Predator(1987), the no-nonsense leader of a team of elite soldiers facing off against an alien threat.
- Chubbs Peterson in Happy Gilmore(1996), the strict and memorable golf instructor known for his tough love approach.
- Combat Carl in the Toy Story franchise, the fearless leader of the green plastic army men.
Carl’s journey to Hollywood wasn’t typical. He began his career as a successful athlete as he excelled in boxing, football, and gymnastics and had an athletic scholarship to St. Augustine High School where he perfected his athletics skills.
He later played football at San Diego State University, even receiving offers from NFL teams. Despite his football success, Weathers harboured a strong desire to pursue acting. After a short stay with the Oakland Raiders and the BC Lions, he made the bold decision to move to Los Angeles to chase his acting dream.
Starting in the mid-1970s, he landed small roles in television shows and films, gradually building his experience. His big break came in 1976 when he landed the role of Apollo Creed in Rocky which was initially intended for a different actor but Weather’s charisma and convincing performance during the audition won him the part. The film’s unexpected success propelled him as a versatile actor who could portray both intimidating and charming characters.
He has also appeared in many television shows, including “Street Justice” and a hilarious fictionalised version of himself in “Arrested Development.”.
In addition to acting, Weathers directed many episodes of television shows like “In the Heat of the Night” and “Diagnosis: Murder” demonstrating his diverse talents behind the camera. He was also involved in voice acting, lending his voice to various characters in animated projects.
His legacy lives on through his extensive filmography, which continues to entertain audiences worldwide. He will be remembered as a versatile actor who left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
Carl Weathers’ Age, Birthday and Zodiac Sign
Carl Weathers, the famous actor was born on the 14th of January, 1948 in New Orleans, Louisiana and his zodiac sign is Capricorn. He sadly passed away on the 1st of February, 2024. If he were still alive today, he would be 76 years old.
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Carl Weathers’ Educational Background
Weathers earned an athletic scholarship to attend St. Augustine High School, a private school, in the eighth grade. Later, he played football and graduated from Long Beach Poly High School in 1966.
He attended San Diego State University on a football scholarship but graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre in 1974.
Carl Weathers’ Marital Life
The “Predator” actor was married thrice throughout his life, but sadly, none of the marriages lasted. He first got married in 1973 to Mary Ann Castle and had two sons with her before their divorce in 1983.
His second marriage was to Rhona Unsell in 1984. They were married for 22 years but didn’t have any children. They divorced in 2006. His last marriage was to award-winning content producer, director and writer, Jennifer Peterson in 2007. They didn’t have any children and they split off in 2009.
Till his death, he remained single.
What Was The Cause of Carl Weathers’ Death?
According to The Blast, the legendary actor died from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, commonly referred to as heart disease.He sadly died on the 1st of February, 2024.
Carl Weathers’ Net Worth and Achievements
At the time of his passing, his net worth was estimated to be around $8 million. He accumulated this wealth from his acting and directing career. He also participated in commercials and endorsements which further strengthened his finances.
He had earned nominations for NAACP Image Awards, Primetime Emmy Award, and Golden Globe Award. He won the Behind the Voice Actors Awards (BTVA Special/DVD Voice Acting Award for Best Male Vocal Performance in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short in 2014 for voicing Combat Carl in “Toy Story of Terror.”
His role as Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films launched him to the limelight.
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