Carl Weathers: Not a skilled fighter, but a talented actor
In the iconic film “Rocky III,” Carl Weathers’ Apollo Creed delivers one of the most memorable lines in cinematic history. He tells Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky, “You fight great, but I’m a great fighter.” This powerful dialogue perfectly captures Weathers’ journey from the depths of New Orleans to a successful Hollywood career spanning five decades. Interestingly, he even landed his role in the first “Rocky” film by boldly insulting Stallone’s acting abilities.
Growing up in New Orleans, Weathers faced challenges pursuing his passion for drama and acting. Society viewed drama as an unmanly pursuit, subjecting him to numerous insults. However, in eighth grade, his desire for a girlfriend led him to discover another path that eventually took him to California and fulfilled his Hollywood dreams – football.
Although he didn’t become a star on the football field, Weathers admitted that he lacked the dedication to excel as a player. Nonetheless, he managed to join the NFL in 1971 after a successful college career, playing for the Oakland Raiders for one season. Unfortunately, Head Coach John Madden cut him after the first game of his second season, citing his sensitivity. Weathers then turned to the Canadian Football League, playing for the BC Lions for 13 games before retiring from the sport in 1974.
At this point, Weathers pursued his true passion with determination. Starting with small roles and eventually landing leading ones in blaxploitation films, his breakthrough came with the role of Apollo Creed in “Rocky.” This paved the way for him to act in notable films such as “Predator,” “Action Jackson,” “Happy Gilmore,” ”Creed,” ”Toy Story 4,” and “The Mandalorian.” Weathers’ career was incredibly prolific, even though he never ventured into elected office like two of his co-stars.
While Weathers never seriously considered running for office, he was serious about entertaining. In 2003, he made a memorable appearance on “Saturday Night Live” to humorously joke about the idea. The skit humorously highlighted his role in “Predator” and playfully suggested he could be the third state governor to emerge from the film.
The skit featured Weathers delivering a monologue:
Hi, I’m Carl Weathers. I’m the black guy from ”Predator.” This American classic has already provided two state governors, and frankly, I’d like to be the third. I’m not picky; any state will do. While I’ve never voted personally, I was in the movie “Predator,” where I played the black guy. My good friend Arnold Schwarzenegger said “Hasta La Vista” to politics as usual when he terminated Gray Davis. Well, I believe I have the Apollo credentials to be your governor. Why? Because I am a man of action Jackson. And I was in “Predator.” Now, I know what you’re thinking. Wasn’t Danny Glover the black guy from “Predator”? And shouldn’t he, therefore, be your governor? No. That was “Predator 2.” America deserves better than the star of ”Predator 2.” The America I know and love won’t settle for less. But most importantly, do you remember that I was in “Predator”? Well, I was in ”Predator.”
The skit concludes with another voiceover: ”Carl Weathers for Governor. He was the black guy in ‘Predator.'” It was a hilarious moment that reminds us of a time when “SNL” was still capable of making people laugh without taking things too seriously. However, it’s probably for the best that Weathers didn’t pursue a political career.
Could he have been a great governor? Perhaps. Schwarzenegger and Ventura had mixed records, and serving as governor may have diverted Weathers’ attention from his true passion. If his “SNL” skit had been taken seriously, he might never have portrayed a fictionalized version of himself on “Arrested Development.” The world is better off with that portrayal instead of whatever State of the State address he would have come up with, even if he had mentioned fiscal responsibility. Unfortunately, we will never know.
What we do know is that Weathers consistently delivered captivating performances throughout his career. While sports may have provided him with opportunities, it was his unwavering dedication to acting that propelled him to become a remarkable entertainer. He effortlessly transitioned from drama to action to comedy, showcasing his versatility. Despite his challenging upbringing, he may not have been destined to be a great fighter, but he certainly made it his destiny to become a great actor.
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How did Carl Weathers’ career in football help him on his journey to becoming a Hollywood icon?
Carl Weathers: From New Orleans to Hollywood Icon
In the iconic film ”Rocky III,” Carl Weathers’ Apollo Creed delivers one of the most memorable lines in cinematic history. He tells Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky, “You fight great, but I’m a great fighter.” This powerful dialogue perfectly captures Weathers’ journey from the depths of New Orleans to a successful Hollywood career spanning five decades. Interestingly, he even landed his role in the first “Rocky” film by boldly insulting Stallone’s acting abilities.
Growing up in New Orleans, Weathers faced challenges pursuing his passion for drama and acting. Society viewed drama as an unmanly pursuit, subjecting him to numerous insults. However, in eighth grade, his desire for a girlfriend led him to discover another path that eventually took him to California and fulfilled his Hollywood dreams – football.
Although he didn’t become a star on the football field, Weathers admitted that he lacked the dedication to excel as a player. Nonetheless, he managed to join the NFL in 1971 after a successful college career, playing for the Oakland Raiders for one season. Unfortunately, Head Coach John Madden cut him after the first game of his second season, citing his sensitivity. Weathers then turned to the Canadian Football League, playing for the BC Lions for 13 games before retiring from the sport in 1974.
At this point, Weathers pursued his true passion with determination. Starting with small roles and eventually landing leading ones in blaxploitation films, his breakthrough came with the role of Apollo Creed in “Rocky.” This paved the way for him to act in notable films such as “Predator,” “Action Jackson,” “Happy Gilmore,” “Creed,” ”Toy Story 4,” and “The Mandalorian.” Weathers’ career was incredibly prolific, even though he never ventured into elected office like two of his co-stars.
While Weathers never seriously considered running for office, he was serious about entertaining. In 2003, he made a memorable appearance on “Saturday Night Live” to humorously joke about the idea. The skit humorously highlighted his role in “Predator” and playfully suggested he could be the third state governor to emerge from the film.
The skit featured Weathers delivering a monologue:
Hi, I’m Carl Weathers. I’m the black guy from “Predator.” This American classic has already provided two state governors, and frankly, I’d like to be the third. I’m not picky; any state will do. While I’ve never voted personally, I was in the movie “Predator,” where I played the black guy. My good friend Arnold Schwarzenegger said “Hasta La Vista” to politics as usual when he terminated Gray Davis. Well, I believe I have the Apollo credentials to be your governor. Why? Because I am a man of action Jackson. And I was in “Predator.” Now, I know what you’re thinking.
Carl Weathers’ journey from New Orleans to Hollywood is a testament to his unwavering passion and resilience. Despite facing obstacles along the way, he has achieved great success in the industry and left an indelible mark on cinema. From his iconic role in the “Rocky” franchise to his memorable appearances in various films and television shows, Weathers continues to captivate audiences with his talent and charisma.
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