Passing away on 2nd February, Carl Weathers achieved more in his 76 years than many could in a dozen lifetimes. Already a generational star as Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies, he brought that incandescent charisma to our galaxy as Magistrate Greef Karga and helped create the Mandoverse alongside his co-stars and Lucasfilm. On Thursday he was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a ceremony which saw his sons and stars including Sylvester Stallone, Levar Burton and Bryce Dallas Howard speak.
Weathers’ fellow actor-directors LeVar Burton and Bryce Dallas Howard also spoke at Thursday’s ceremony. Weathers’ son Matthew accepted the star on behalf of his late father.
“My father was an individual with dreams and aspirations, he knew what he wanted at a very young age,” Matthew Weathers said. “He told me on numerous occasions that if he had some money in his pocket as a young man he’d go to the movies. He became a good football player, wanted an education, went to college, studied theater, got picked up by the Raiders, played for the BC Lions, finished his education and eventually made it to Hollywood.
“Not a lot of people have the opportunity to do what he did and he knew that. He really, really did. He was proud of what he created. So am I. It’s hard to imagine he’s not here. It was a sudden passing. But as much as I don’t want to get emotional, this is a day of celebration. I’m really proud of the man he was most of all.”
Weathers was selected to receive a star in 2023 and “was actively involved in preparing to receive his star” before he died Feb. 2 at age 76, Martinez said.
Weathers rose to fame for his portrayal of Creed, the flamboyant world heavyweight champion in “Rocky,” which won the best picture Oscar in 1977.
Weathers’ recurring role as High Magistrate Greef Karga in the Disney+ “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian” brought him an outstanding guest actor in a drama series Emmy nomination in 2021. Weathers also directed episodes of “The Mandalorian,” “FBI,” “Chicago Med,” “Hawaii 5-0” and “Law & Order.”