Sylvester Stallone is remembering his “Rocky” co-star, Carl Weathers, who passed away on Friday at the age of 76.
In a clip he shared on Instagram, Stallone said a few words about his beloved co-star with a painting of them both from the movie behind him.
“Today is an incredibly sad day for me,” Stallone started. “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 him – I give him incredible credit and kudos because when he walked into that room, and I saw him for the first time, I felt greatness.
But I didn’t realize how great. I never could have accomplished what we did with ‘Rocky’ without him. He was absolutely intelligent, his voice, his size, his energy, his athletic ability, but more importantly, his heart, his soul.”
It’s a devastating loss,” he said. ”And I’m standing here in front of this painting, because it was probably the last moment we were ever in the ring together and I’ll never forget it. He was magic. And I was so fortunate to be part of his life. So Apollo, keep punching.”
Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred in “Predator” with Weathers in 1987, also paid tribute to him and called Weathers a “legend.”
Carl Weathers will always be a legend,” Schwarzenegger said in an Instagram post. “A great 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 included. “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 also famously starred in “Rocky” and most not so far, in the series “The Mandalorian.”
He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, Feb. 1, his family said in an interview to an outlet. He was 76 Year old.