As news spread on Friday of the death of actor and director Carl Weathers, filmmakers and former co-stars noted the breadth of his career. From his work in iconic drama and action films like the “Rocky” franchise — in which he played the pugilist Apollo Creed — “Predator” and “Action Jackson,” to film comedies like “Happy Gilmore,” to television shows like the “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian” and “Arrested Development,” Weathers was a versatile performer.
So memorable were his roles — and physique — that even his arm from a scene in “Predator,” which makes up one-half of the popular handshake meme, has become a part of his varied and lasting legacy.
Sylvester Stallone, his co-star in the “Rocky” films, posted a video on Instagram Friday, where he credited Weathers for helping him achieve success in Hollywood. “Today is an incredibly sad day for me … Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, of my success. 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 great. I never could have accomplished what we did with ‘Rocky’ without him.”
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