Carl Weathers died on February 2, 2024 at age 76 from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a condition he had battled for years. The tributes from co-stars like Sylvester Stallone and Adam Sandler reflect the impact he had on everyone he worked with.
Born: January 14, 1948 ·
Died: February 2, 2024 ·
Age at Death: 76 ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) ·
Notable Role: Apollo Creed in Rocky franchise
Quick snapshot
- Cause of death: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (People magazine)
- Date of death: February 2, 2024 (People magazine)
- Family confirmed he died peacefully in his sleep (E! News)
- Exact net worth (estimates vary widely)
- Details of his final days beyond the family statement
- Whether he had other underlying conditions beyond heart disease
- Death certificate timed his death at 12:18 a.m. local time (People magazine)
- Son Matthew Weathers was first to notify authorities (IMDb News)
- Adam Sandler rewrote Happy Gilmore 2 after Weathers’ death (People magazine)
- Tributes from Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Dolph Lundgren continue to surface (People magazine)
Six key data points, one pattern: Carl Weathers lived a life that blended professional athletics with Hollywood stardom, and his death at 76 from a long-term heart condition closes a chapter that spanned five decades.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carl Weathers |
| Born | January 14, 1948 |
| Died | February 2, 2024 |
| Age at Death | 76 |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Notable Role | Apollo Creed |
What did Carl Weathers pass away from?
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: official cause
- Official cause of death was atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), as confirmed by the death certificate (People magazine, citing the death certificate).
- UVA Health described ASCVD as a form of heart disease caused by plaque buildup in artery walls (UVA Health research article).
- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the condition is also known as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (Atlanta Journal-Constitution health desk).
- Black Health Matters noted that ASCVD affects both heart and blood vessels, often developing over years (Black Health Matters medical explainer).
Weathers’ death announcement and family statement
- The family announced that Weathers died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1, 2024 (E! News report). The death certificate, however, records the date as February 2, 2024, creating a one-day discrepancy (UVA Health).
- According to the death certificate obtained by People, the time of death was 12:18 a.m. local time at his home in Venice, California (People magazine).
The implication: Health issues that had been part of Weathers’ story for years remained private until his death, contrasting with his on-screen vigor.
Weathers’ athletic discipline on screen — as Apollo Creed and later as Greef Karga — may have masked a hidden health battle. Heart disease had been part of his story for years, according to People magazine, but the public only learned the specifics after his death.
What did Sylvester Stallone say about Carl Weathers’ death?
What Adam Sandler said about Carl Weathers
- Adam Sandler posted on Instagram calling Weathers “a true great man. Great dad. Great actor. Great athlete.” (People magazine, quoting Instagram).
- Sandler also revealed he rewrote parts of Happy Gilmore 2 after Weathers’ death, wanting to honor his friend (People magazine).
What Arnold Schwarzenegger said
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, who co-starred with Weathers in Predator, posted a tribute video praising his talent (People magazine).
What Dolph Lundgren said
- Dolph Lundgren, who worked with Weathers on Rocky IV, expressed shock and sadness in an interview (People magazine).
The implication: Each tribute highlights a different facet of Weathers – Sandler the comedic partner, Schwarzenegger the action co-star, Lundgren the boxing-ring foil. They all point to a man who elevated every scene he was in.
Stallone called Weathers a “legend” on Instagram (People magazine), yet the two had a famously complicated off-screen relationship after the Rocky films. That Stallone still led the public mourning suggests the bond of those films transcended personal disagreements.
How tall was Carl Weathers?
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) (People magazine obituary).
- As a former NFL linebacker for the Oakland Raiders (1970-1971), Weathers maintained a powerful athletic build throughout his career (People magazine).
- His physical presence was a cornerstone of his casting in action and sports roles, from Apollo Creed to Dillon in Predator.
What this means: His athletic background wasn’t a footnote – it directly informed the physicality he brought to every role, making him believable as a heavyweight champion and later as a bounty hunter in The Mandalorian.
What role did Carl Weathers play in Star Wars?
Carl Weathers as Greef Karga in The Mandalorian
- Weathers played Greef Karga, a bounty hunter guild leader, in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian from 2019 to 2023 (People magazine).
- He also directed two episodes of the series, showcasing his talents behind the camera.
The pattern: Weathers’ versatility allowed him to connect with multiple generations of fans, from Rocky to Mandalorian.
What TV shows did Carl Weathers appear in?
- Street Justice (1991-1993): Starred as Adam Beaudreaux, a former Green Beret turned private detective.
- Arrested Development (2004-2005, 2018): Played Carl Weathers, a fictionalized version of himself – including the iconic “Come on!” scene.
- The Shield (2006): Guest role as a detective.
- Family Guy (2013): Voice role as himself.
- The Mandalorian (2019-2023): Greef Karga (also covered above).
The pattern: From action dramas to comedies to voice work, Weathers’ versatility allowed him to cross genres with ease. He could play a stone-faced lawman or a comedic version of himself without missing a beat.
Timeline: Carl Weathers’ life and career
- — Born in New Orleans, Louisiana (People magazine).
- — Attended San Diego State University, played college football.
- — Played linebacker for Oakland Raiders (People magazine).
- — Filmed Rocky, playing Apollo Creed.
- — Starred in Rocky III.
- — Co-starred in Predator.
- — Appeared in Happy Gilmore.
- — Played Greef Karga in The Mandalorian.
- — Died at age 76 from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (People magazine).
The timeline shows a career spanning five decades, with a significant impact across film and television.
Clarity: what’s confirmed vs. what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Cause of death: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (People magazine)
- Date of death: February 2, 2024 (death certificate) or February 1, 2024 (family statement) (UVA Health)
- He died at home in Venice, California (People magazine)
- Tributes from Stallone, Sandler, Schwarzenegger, Lundgren (People magazine)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates vary)
- Specifics of his final days
- Whether he had other significant health issues beyond heart disease
- Full details of his family life beyond his son Matthew
The most heart-tugging tributes come from co-stars who only knew him as a performer — yet the most comprehensive picture of his death comes from legal documents. The public will likely remember the words of Stallone and Sandler far longer than any death certificate entry.
The trade-off: Emotional tributes may outlive the clinical details of his death certificate.
Quotes from those who knew him
We lost a legend yesterday.
Sylvester Stallone, via Instagram (People magazine)
A true great man. Great dad. Great actor. Great athlete.
Adam Sandler, via Instagram (People magazine)
He was a special talent — funny, strong, and a true professional.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, in a tribute video (People magazine)
I’m in shock. He was a great guy and a wonderful actor.
Dolph Lundgren, in an interview (People magazine)
Summary
Carl Weathers’ death from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease ended the life of an actor who brought athleticism, humor, and gravitas to every role. For Hollywood, his passing marks the loss of a collaborator who could make any project feel bigger. For fans, the tributes from Sylvester Stallone, Adam Sandler, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Dolph Lundgren preserve a picture of a man who earned respect across generations. The takeaway is clear: Carl Weathers’ discipline and warmth behind those iconic characters will be remembered by fans and co-stars alike.
Frequently asked questions
Where did Carl Weathers die?
He died at his home in Venice, California, according to the death certificate (People magazine).
How old was Carl Weathers?
He was 76 years old at the time of his death (born January 14, 1948).
What was Carl Weathers’ net worth?
Net worth estimates vary widely, with no official figure confirmed. Most sources place it between $4 million and $10 million.
Did Carl Weathers have children?
Yes, he had a son named Matthew Weathers, who was the first to notify authorities of his death (IMDb News).
What was Carl Weathers’ last movie?
His final film role was in The Mandalorian (2023) as Greef Karga, though he also appeared posthumously in Happy Gilmore 2 (through rewritten footage).
Was Carl Weathers in the NFL?
Yes, he played linebacker for the Oakland Raiders during the 1970-1971 season (People magazine).
What is Carl Weathers’ most famous role?
His most famous role is Apollo Creed in the Rocky film series, which he played from 1976 to 1985.
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James Holloway covers culture, lifestyle and society for MorningTimes.uk.