Sylvester Stallone Had A Moving Tribute To His Late ‘Rocky’ Costar Carl Weathers: ‘Apollo, Keep Punching’

On Friday it was revealed that actor Carl Weathers had passed away. He was 76.

via: Variety

Stallone paid tribute to his longtime friend and “Rocky” co-star Weathers.

Speaking through a video posted to his Instagram Friday evening, Stallone recalled his longtime partnership with Weathers, through the “Rocky” series and their decades-long friendship. The star gave the message while standing in front of a painting depicting their characters, Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed, squaring off in the ring.

“Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I’m so torn up, I can’t even tell you. I’m just trying to hold it in because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success — everything about it, 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,” Stallone said. “I never could’ve accomplished what we did with ‘Rocky’ without him.”

“He was absolutely brilliant — his voice, his size, his presence, his athletic ability, but, most importantly, his heart, his soul. It’s a horrible loss,” Stallone said. “He was magic. I was so fortunate to be part of his life. Apollo, keep punching.”

Weathers starred in the first four “Rocky” films as Apollo Creed, who repeatedly faces off against Stallone’s titular boxer in the ring. Though Creed dies in “Rocky IV,” Weathers’ legacy in the franchise lived on in the sequel series “Creed,” which stars Michael B. Jordan as Creed’s son.

Sylvester Stallone pays tribute and says farewell to his pal and Rocky co-star CARL WEATHERS. RIP Carl.pic.twitter.com/ozf7kimkJC

— All The Right Movies (@ATRightMovies) February 3, 2024

Weathers and Stallone reunited at the 2017 Golden Globes, where the duo presented the final award of the night. “I can’t believe it’s been 40 years since ‘Rocky,’” Weathers said, to which Stallone jabbed: “Yeah, and I can’t believe I let you win the fight considering I wrote the screenplay.”

A year earlier, Weathers presented Stallone with an award at the Santa Barbara Film Festival. “He clearly knows that I’m a fan,” Weathers said. “I have such admiration and appreciation for all that very first screenplay allowed me … So what can I say except he deserved the award, and I have tremendous gratitude for being a part of the whole adventure.”

Other stars who worked opposite Weathers over the years took to social media to pay tribute to the late actor, including Adam Sandler and Pedro Pascal.

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