Carl Weathers’ cause of death revealed

As fans and those close to Carl Weathers work to come to terms with his passing, the iconic actor’s cause of death has now been revealed.

Weathers, known for his dynamic performances on both the big and small screens, passed away at the age of 76 on Thursday, February 1.

Weathers’ family announced the heartbreaking news of his passing in a statement, revealing that he died “peacefully in his sleep”.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” the statement read.

“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.”

Following his passing, it has now been revealed that the beloved Rocky star succumbed to “atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease,” according to a recently obtained death certificate by The Blast.

Weathers passed away peacefully at his home in Venice, California, at 12:18 a.m. local time, as indicated in the document. Investigators classified his death as “natural”, noting his longstanding battle with heart disease.

Born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Weathers had a diverse athletic background before venturing into acting. Excelling in football, boxing, gymnastics, judo, soccer, and wrestling, he secured an athletic scholarship to St. Augustine High School. After a college football career at Long Beach City College and San Diego State University, Weathers briefly played professional football with the Oakland Raiders and the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League.

Transitioning to acting in the mid-1970s, Weathers gained fame for his role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky film series. His career spanned action films like Predator and Action Jackson in the 1980s.

He also appeared in TV shows such as Street Justice, In the Heat of the Night, and Tour of Duty. Weathers experienced a comedic revival in the 2000s, starring in Arrested Development and other comedies.

He diversified his career with voice acting, video game narration, and commercial appearances. Notably, he played Greef Karga in The Mandalorian, earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in 2019.

Following his passing, an outpouring of heartfelt tributes flooded social media, as fans and colleagues alike came together to reminisce about Weathers’ impactful career.

Weathers is survived by his two sons.