Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Carl Weathers

Discover the career path of Carl Weathers, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Carl Weathers was a multifaceted American figure known for his achievements as an actor, director, and former professional football player. He gained widespread recognition for his iconic role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky film series, Colonel Al Dillon in Predator, and Chubbs Peterson in Happy Gilmore. Weathers also starred in the TV series Street Justice and had memorable appearances in Arrested Development and as Greef Karga in The Mandalorian, earning an Emmy nomination for the latter. Additionally, he contributed his voice to animated characters like Combat Carl in Toy Story and Omnitraxus Prime in Star vs. the Forces of Evil.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1970: Joins Oakland Raiders

In 1970, Carl Weathers signed with the Oakland Raiders of the NFL as an undrafted free agent, playing as a linebacker and helping them win the AFC West Division title.

September 1971: Raiders Release

In September 1971, Carl Weathers was released by the Oakland Raiders after head coach John Madden cited him as "too sensitive."

1973: Lions Career End

In 1973, Carl Weathers ended his time with the BC Lions of the CFL, having played for them since later in September 1971.

1974: Retirement from Football

In 1974, Carl Weathers retired from football and began pursuing an acting career.

1975: Early Acting Roles

In 1975, Carl Weathers had significant roles in blaxploitation films Bucktown and Friday Foster, directed by Arthur Marks. He also appeared in an episode of Good Times and Kung Fu.

1976: Guest Appearances

In 1976, Carl Weathers appeared in episodes of Starsky & Hutch and Barnaby Jones.

1976: Apollo Creed Debut

In 1976, Carl Weathers played Apollo Creed in the first Rocky film. This role would become one of his most iconic.

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1977: Close Encounters Appearance

In 1977, Carl Weathers made a brief appearance as an Army MP in one of the released versions of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

1978: TV Movie Role

In 1978, Carl Weathers portrayed Vince Sullivan in the TV movie Not This Time. He also starred in Force 10 from Navarone in 1978.

1979: Rocky II

In 1979, Carl Weathers reprised his role as Apollo Creed in Rocky II.

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1982: Rocky III

In 1982, Carl Weathers reprised his role as Apollo Creed in Rocky III.

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1985: Rocky IV

In 1985, Carl Weathers appeared as Apollo Creed in Rocky IV, marking his fourth appearance in the Rocky film series.

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1987: Predator Role

In 1987, Carl Weathers played Colonel Al Dillon in the movie Predator.

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1988: Saturday Night Live

In 1988, Carl Weathers hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live.

1991: Street Justice

From 1991, Carl Weathers portrayed Det. Beaudreaux in the television series Street Justice.

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1992: In the Heat of the Night

From 1992, Carl Weathers' character, Hampton Forbes, replaced Bill Gillespie as the chief of police in the final two seasons of In the Heat of the Night.

1992: Hurricane Smith

In 1992, Carl Weathers starred in the action film Hurricane Smith.

1993: Street Justice End

In 1993, Carl Weathers' role as Det. Beaudreaux in the television series Street Justice came to an end.

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1994: In the Heat of the Night End

In 1994, Carl Weathers' role as Hampton Forbes, in In the Heat of the Night, came to an end.

1996: Happy Gilmore Release

In 1996, Carl Weathers co-starred in the Adam Sandler comedy Happy Gilmore, playing Chubbs, a golf legend. During filming a fall stunt he fractured two vertebrae.

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1999: NFL Films Narrator

In 1999, Carl Weathers narrated NFL Films' season recap.

2000: NFL Films Narrator

In 2000, Carl Weathers narrated NFL Films' season recap.

2001: NFL Films Narrator

In 2001, Carl Weathers narrated NFL Films' season recap.

2003: SNL Skit

In 2003, Carl Weathers appeared in a skit on Saturday Night Live.

2004: Career Revival

In 2004, Carl Weathers experienced a career revival as a comedic actor, starting with appearances in Arrested Development.

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2004: Arrested Development

In 2004, Carl Weathers played a fictionalized version of himself in the comedy series Arrested Development.

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2005: Conquest! Narration

In 2005, Carl Weathers was a narrator on Conquest! The Price of Victory — Witness the Journey of the Trojans!, a television show about USC athletics.

2008: ER Appearance

In 2008, Carl Weathers appeared in one episode of ER during its finale season.

2013: Arrested Development Return

In 2013, Carl Weathers reprised his role in the comedy series Arrested Development.

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2015: Creed

In 2015, Carl Weathers agreed to allow footage of him from previous Rocky films to be used throughout Creed, after he and Stallone patched up their differences.