Sylvester Stallone shared an emotional tribute to fellow Rocky co-star, Carl Weathers, after the actor passed away ‘peacefully in his sleep’ at the age of 76 on Thursday, February 1.
The Expendables star, 77, took to his main Instagram page on Friday to share a video as he reflected on his close bond with Weathers as well as his ‘great’ talent in the industry.
In the caption of the reel, Stallone penned, ‘We lost a legend yesterday. My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest in power and keeping punching.’
He began the clip by addressing his followers with, ‘Hello everyone. Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I mean, I’m so torn up I can’t even tell you.’
‘I’m just trying to hold it in,’ Sylvester continued, ‘because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, of my success.’
![Sylvester Stallone, 77, shared an emotional tribute to fellow Rocky co-star, Carl Weathers, after the actor passed away 'peacefully in his sleep' at the age of 76 on Thursday, February 1](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/00/80798935-0-image-m-2_1706921777964.jpg)
Sylvester Stallone, 77, shared an emotional tribute to fellow Rocky co-star, Carl Weathers, after the actor passed away ‘peacefully in his sleep’ at the age of 76 on Thursday, February 1
![In the caption of the reel, Stallone penned, 'We lost a legend yesterday. My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest in power and keeping punching'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/00/80798925-0-image-a-3_1706921797879.jpg)
In the caption of the reel, Stallone penned, ‘We lost a legend yesterday. My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest in power and keeping punching’
![He began the clip by addressing his followers with, 'Hello everyone. Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I mean, I'm so torn up I can't even tell you'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/00/80799113-0-image-a-13_1706921999706.jpg)
He began the clip by addressing his followers with, ‘Hello everyone. Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I mean, I’m so torn up I can’t even tell you’
‘Everything about it, I give him incredible credit and kudos,’ he added. ‘Because when he walked into that room and 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.’ Weathers notably took on the role of Apollo Creed in Rocky franchise.
Stallone further stated, ‘He was absolutely brilliant, his voice, his size, his power, his athletic ability. But more importantly, his heart, his soul…It’s a horrible loss.’
He then referenced to a colorful painting on a wall behind him that portrayed both Sylvester and Carl in the ‘ring together’ from the Rocky films.
‘And I’m standing here in front of this painting because it was probably one of the last moments we were ever in the ring together and I will never forget it.’
In conclusion, the First Blood star held up his fist in the air and said with emotion, ‘So Apollo…keep punching.’
Social media users took to the comment section to also mourn the loss of Weathers and sent their condolences.
One fan typed, ‘Great homage, Sly. Carl was truly unique. RIP. Keep punching!!’ while another added, ‘Truly a legend loss. Grateful for the work and contributions to the world you two gave.’
!['I'm just trying to hold it in,' Sylvester continued, 'because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, of my success'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/01/80798917-13040183-image-m-17_1706923287142.jpg)
!['Everything about it, I give him incredible credit and kudos,' he added. 'Because when he walked into that room and saw him for the first time, I saw greatness'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/01/80798921-13040183-image-a-18_1706923296201.jpg)
‘I’m just trying to hold it in,’ Sylvester continued, ‘because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, of my success’
!['But I didn't realize how great. I never could have accomplished what we did with Rocky without him.' Weathers notably took on the role of Apollo Creed in Rocky franchise](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/01/80798927-13040183-_But_I_didn_t_realize_how_great_I_never_could_have_accomplished_-m-20_1706923346862.jpg)
‘But I didn’t realize how great. I never could have accomplished what we did with Rocky without him.’ Weathers notably took on the role of Apollo Creed in Rocky franchise
![Stallone further stated, 'He was absolutely brilliant, his voice, his size, his power, his athletic ability. But more importantly, his heart, his soul...It's a horrible loss'; the pair seen in Rocky II (1979)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/01/80799111-13040183-image-m-22_1706923361687.jpg)
Stallone further stated, ‘He was absolutely brilliant, his voice, his size, his power, his athletic ability. But more importantly, his heart, his soul…It’s a horrible loss’; the pair seen in Rocky II (1979)
!['And I'm standing here in front of this painting because it was probably one of the last moments we were ever in the ring together and I will never forget it,' he said](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/01/80798919-13040183-image-a-24_1706923419933.jpg)
‘And I’m standing here in front of this painting because it was probably one of the last moments we were ever in the ring together and I will never forget it,’ he said
![In conclusion, the First Blood star held up his fist in the air and said with emotion, 'So Apollo...keep punching'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/01/80798945-13040183-image-m-32_1706923470299.jpg)
![Social media users took to the comment section to also mourn the loss of Weathers and sent their condolensces](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/01/80798937-13040183-image-m-34_1706923483113.jpg)
In conclusion, the First Blood star held up his fist in the air and said with emotion, ‘So Apollo…keep punching’
The screen star passed ‘peacefully in his sleep’ on Thursday, February 1, his family announced in a statement.
They said: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers. He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024.’
‘Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations.
‘He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.’
Former professional football player Weathers shot to worldwide fame playing heavyweight champion of the world Apollo Creed in 1976’s Rocky.
Creed gave ‘Italian Stallion’ underdog Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) his shot at the title in the iconic film.
And he reprised his role in 1979’s Rocky II in which Creed had a title rematch with Rocky, 1982’s Rocky III in which he faced off with Clubber Lang (Mr.T) and 1984’s Rocky IV – which saw his character killed in the ring by Russian heavyweight Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren).
His character also formed the crux of the storyline for acclaimed Rocky spin-off film series, Creed – which stars Michael B. Jordan as Apollo’s secret son and boxer Adonis Creed.
![The screen star passed 'peacefully in his sleep' on Thursday, February 1, his family announced in a statement; seen in May 2022 in Anaheim](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/01/80798953-13040183-image-a-35_1706924047617.jpg)
The screen star passed ‘peacefully in his sleep’ on Thursday, February 1, his family announced in a statement; seen in May 2022 in Anaheim
![Former professional football player Weathers shot to worldwide fame playing heavyweight champion of the world Apollo Creed in 1976's Rocky; Stallone and Weathers seen together in 2017](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/01/80799109-13040183-image-a-36_1706924079825.jpg)
Former professional football player Weathers shot to worldwide fame playing heavyweight champion of the world Apollo Creed in 1976’s Rocky; Stallone and Weathers seen together in 2017
![Weathers previously revealed he had insulted Stallone's acting abilities during his Rocky audition - which landed him the role; seen in 1979 for Rocky II](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/01/80799543-13040183-image-a-37_1706924449333.jpg)
Weathers previously revealed he had insulted Stallone’s acting abilities during his Rocky audition – which landed him the role; seen in 1979 for Rocky II
Weathers previously revealed he had insulted Stallone’s acting abilities during his Rocky audition – which landed him the role.
He said: ‘There was nobody to read with, and they said you’re going to read with the writer [Stallone].
And we read through the scene and at the end of it, I didn’t feel like it had really sailed, that the scene had sailed, and they were quiet and there was this moment of awkwardness, I felt, anyway.
‘So I just blurted out, ‘I could do a lot better if you got me a real actor to work with.’ So I just insulted the star of the movie without really knowing it and not intending to.’
Stallone felt the jibe was something Creed would say, with Weathers adding: ‘Sometimes the mistakes are the ones that get you the gig.’
He is survived by sons Jason and Matthew who he shared with ex-wife Mary Ann Castle and his grandchildren.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was another celebrity that shared a tribute to the late star upon hearing the news of his passing on Friday.
The Terminator actor shared a photo of the pair in 1987’s Predator – in which Schwarzenegger played Major Alan “Dutch” Schaefer and Weathers portrayed Al Dillon – as he praised the star’s commitment to his craft.
![Arnold Schwarzenegger was another celebrity in Friday that shared a tribute to the late star upon hearing the news of his passing; seen in February 2023 in Hollywood](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/01/80798955-13040183-image-a-38_1706924472106.jpg)
Arnold Schwarzenegger was another celebrity in Friday that shared a tribute to the late star upon hearing the news of his passing; seen in February 2023 in Hollywood
![He wrote: 'Carl Weathers will always be a legend. An extraordinary athlete, a fantastic actor, and a great person'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/01/80798947-13040183-image-a-40_1706924594901.jpg)
He wrote: ‘Carl Weathers will always be a legend. An extraordinary athlete, a fantastic actor, and a great person’
!['Every minute with him - on set and off - was pure joy. He was the type of friend who pushes you to be your best just to keep up with him. I'll miss him, and my thoughts are with his family,' the actor added](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/01/80798941-13040183-image-a-41_1706924598374.jpg)
‘Every minute with him – on set and off – was pure joy. He was the type of friend who pushes you to be your best just to keep up with him. I’ll miss him, and my thoughts are with his family,’ the actor added
![Weathers' Mandalorian co-star Pedro Pascal revealed he was heartbroken over the loss, sharing a snap of Weathers with the caption 'Words fail'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/03/01/80798939-13040183-image-m-44_1706924761637.jpg)
Weathers’ Mandalorian co-star Pedro Pascal revealed he was heartbroken over the loss, sharing a snap of Weathers with the caption ‘Words fail’
He wrote: ‘Carl Weathers will always be a legend. An extraordinary athlete, a fantastic actor, and a great person.
‘We couldn’t have made Predator without him. And we certainly wouldn’t have had such a wonderful time making it.’
‘Every minute with him – on set and off – was pure joy. He was the type of friend who pushes you to be your best just to keep up with him. I’ll miss him, and my thoughts are with his family. ‘
Weathers’ Mandalorian co-star Pedro Pascal revealed he was heartbroken over the loss, sharing a snap of Weathers with the caption ‘Words fail’ while Adam Sandler also uploaded a tribute to his Happy Gilmore co-star.