Carl Weathers, the legendary actor, director, and former football player, passed away on February 1, 2024, at the age of 76. He was best known for his roles as Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies, Al Dillon in Predator, Chubbs Peterson in Happy Gilmore, and Greef Karga in The Mandalorian. He was also a devout Christian who participated in a meaningful Jewish ritual in one of his TV shows.
Carl Weathers’ Early Life and Faith
Weathers was born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father was a day laborer, and his mother was a homemaker. He grew up in a poor and segregated neighborhood, where he faced racism and discrimination. He was an all-around athlete, involved in boxing, football, gymnastics, judo, soccer, and wrestling. He played football and graduated from Long Beach Poly High School in 1966.
Carl Weathers was raised in a Christian household, and he credited his faith for giving him strength and guidance throughout his life. He once said, “I believe in God. I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe that God has a plan for me, and I try to follow that plan as best as I can.”
He also said that his faith helped him overcome the challenges and hardships he faced in his career and personal life. He said, “I’ve had some tough times in my life, but I never gave up. I always prayed and trusted God to see me through. He always did. He always does.”
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Weathers’ Respect for Judaism
Although Weathers was a Christian, he had a deep respect and appreciation for Judaism and Jewish culture. He learned about Judaism from some of his friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry, such as Jerry Stiller, Don Rickles, and Steven Spielberg. He also studied the history and traditions of Judaism, and he visited Israel several times. He said, “I have a lot of admiration for the Jewish people. They have endured so much, and they have contributed so much to the world. They have a rich and beautiful heritage, and I respect that.”
One of the most memorable moments of Weathers’ career was when he participated in a Jewish ritual in a 1994 episode of In the Heat of the Night, a TV adaptation of the 1967 film of the same name. In the episode, titled “The Rabbi”, Weathers played Police Chief Hampton Forbes, who helped Rabbi Hillel Feldman (Jerry Stiller) open a synagogue in Sparta, Mississippi, after the previous one was burned down by vandals in the 1960s.
At the end of the episode, Weathers, who was not Jewish, wore a white kippah and led the procession of a new Torah scroll into the synagogue. He said, “It was an honor and a privilege to be part of that ceremony. It was a very moving and emotional experience for me. I felt a connection with the Jewish community, and I learned a lot about their faith and values.”
Weathers’ Legacy and Impact
Carl Weathers was a versatile and talented actor, director, and athlete, who left behind a legacy of iconic and memorable characters. He was also a man of faith, who respected and appreciated other religions and cultures.
He was a role model and an inspiration for many people, especially for the African American community. He said, “I hope that I have made a positive impact on the world, and that I have touched some lives with my work and my actions. I hope that I have shown that anything is possible with God, hard work, and determination.”
Carl Weathers will be remembered as a legend in film, television, and sports, and as a person of faith, integrity, and compassion. He will be missed by his family, friends, fans, and colleagues. May he rest in peace.
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