When Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis Creed entered the “Rocky” franchise as Apollo Creed’s secret son, it seemed fitting that Jordan and the late Carl Weathers would be connected forever through this on-screen bond. As an ‘80s action hero, Weathers paved the way for Jordan’s movie star status and opened the door for many more Black actors to follow in his footsteps.
Weathers was actually an NFL player-turned actor who found fame as Rocky’s rival in the popular film franchise. In the ‘80s, his work in “Rocky III;” “Rocky IV;” “Predator;” and “Action Jackson” made him one of the decade’s few Black action stars.
Opposite Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarznegger—two of the biggest stars of the time—he stole scenes with his charming everyman quality. Weathers also put on for the culture, making sure all his characters weren’t just boxers, soldiers or cops who happened to be Black. They were always portrayed as proud Black men who were a vital part of these worlds.
His “Rocky IV” “Living in America” entrance alongside James Brown is one of the greatest Black moments in modern film. Apollo was telling Ivan Drago that he wasn’t just there for the U.S., he was there for his community. Killmonger’s “Black Panther” intro at the museum isn’t as flashy as Apollo and James Brown, but carries the same essence.
“Action Jackson” could have been another “disgraced cop fights a corrupt, powerful rich man” story. But Weathers never let us forget that it was about a Black cop being kept down and used as a pawn because he attacked the system. Due to his role as Greef Karga in “The Mandalorian,” the actor was recently embraced by a whole new generation of fans. Back in April 2023, he spoke with The Root about how much he was enjoying his time in the “Star Wars” universe.
“I’m really appreciative for the opportunity as an actor because it’s so limiting when a character is so one dimensional that there is no growth,” Weathers told The Root. “But here, you have this man who comes from being the king of the bounty hunters guild, to now being a High Magistrate, a benevolent bureaucrat who seems to want to do good for all the citizens of Nevarro. I love that kind of stuff. That fullness of character.”
If he hadn’t paved the way with these unforgettable roles, Jordan wouldn’t have been able to conquer Hollywood the way he did in “Creed;” “Black Panther;” and “Without Remorse.” Weathers even transitioned into directing, something Jordan has recently done with his career.
As we celebrate “The Mandalorian” star, it’s important to recognize the full scope of Weathers’ impact and influence on the artists who’ve followed him. In Jordan’s case, their roles as on-screen father and son will keep them linked forever, but it’s also the similarities of their career journeys and how they’ve changed the business for Black actors that makes them two sides of the same inspiring coin.