Actor-director Carl Weathers, best known for his portrayal of boxer Apollo Creed in Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky film series, died Thursday at the age of 76, his family announced in a statement.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers...He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024,” the family said in the statement, “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,” the statement further read.

In addition to the first four Rocky films, Weathers appeared in movies like Predator (1987), Action Jackson (1988), The Comebacks (2007), Think Like a Man Too (2014) and Toy Story 4 (2019).

He also had a recurring role as Greef Karga in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian (2019–2023). In 2021, Weathers received an Emmy nomination for the role and he had also directed a pair of episodes in Seasons 2 and 3.

Weathers, born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 14, 1948, has appeared in over 75 films and television shows in the course of his career spanning five decades.

Weather's co-star in the first Rocky film, Sylvester Stallone, on Saturday shared a video on Instagram, mourning the death of the actor.

“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,” wrote Stallone alongside his post, acknowledging the integral role Weathers had played in his life and his success.

Recalling the first time he met Weathers, Stallone said, “When he first walked into the room, I saw greatness. But I didn’t realise how great. I never could have accomplished what we did with Rocky without him.”

“He was absolutely great, his voice, his size, his power, his athletic ability but more importantly his heart and his soul,” continued Stallone.

Pointing to a painting that captures their last moment in a boxing ring together, Stallone added that he would never be able to forget the moment. The 77-year-old actor-filmmaker concluded his video message by paying a tribute to Weathers’s phenomenal depiction of Apollo Creed.