Carl Weathers Honored Posthumously with a Star on Walk of Fame: 'The Embodiment of a Good Man'

The actor is being honored with the second Sports Entertainment Walk of Fame star, nearly seven months after his death at age 76

Carl Weathers was honored posthumously with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

During a ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 29, the late actor and athlete received a Sports Entertainment Walk of Fame star, the second of its kind after Michael Strahan's in 2023.

Presenting the star, which was sponsored by the Las Vegas Raiders, was emcee Sibley Scoles. Attendees at the ceremony also included Raiders alumni Grant Irons, Jim Plunkett and Phil Villapiano, according to the Walk of Fame organization.

Raiders owner Mark Davis gave a speech about Weathers, who died Feb. 2 at age 76. Also among the speakers were friend LeVar Burton and Bryce Dallas Howard, the latter of whom directed several episodes of The Mandalorian, which Weathers acted in and also directed episodes of himself.

Howard, 43, praised Weathers for his "feat of expertise and human excellence" in balancing acting and directing on the show, and added later in her speech, "Everybody learned from him because he was a natural leader."

"Wherever he went, people would light up and stand tall," she said.

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Related: Sylvester Stallone and Rocky Cast Pay Tribute to Carl Weathers After Death: 'We Lost a Legend'

Weathers, a New Orleans-born former NFL linebacker and actor, starred as boxer Apollo Creed opposite Sylvester Stallone in the Rocky films, starting with the 1976 original.

He then costarred with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987's Predator, and most recently played Greef Karga on the Star Wars series The Mandalorian, which earned him an Emmy nomination.

The star took the lead in Action Jackson (1988), and had memorable comedic roles including as Chubbs Peterson in the 1996 golf comedy Happy Gilmore with Adam Sandler, as well as a version of himself on the series Arrested Development.

Aside from his screen work, "Carl was a humanitarian," Burton, 67, said in his speech Thursday, "and I think the best tribute I can pay to him is that he was, in fact, the embodiment of a good man."

"Now, I do not use those two words in combination lightly, but Carl deserves it. In Carl's presence ... you knew that he was focused 100 percent on you," the actor continued. "He wasn't looking around to see who more important came in the room — he was laser-locked on this now moment with you."

Burton went on to joke about how he and Weathers "spent a lot of time naked in the sauna" together at a spa in Los Angeles' Koreatown neighborhood, where there was "nothing to hide."

"But there are two meanings to that, because there is no artifice in the sauna," he said. "And Carl had no problem being his authentic self in every single moment. I think his ability to be authentic was probably his greatest gift, and greatest talent."

Burton concluded by sharing that Weathers' "motto in his later years" was "be peace," adding, "And I know he would want to encourage us all to live that motto as best as we are able."

Related: Pedro Pascal Remembers His Mandalorian Costar Carl Weathers: 'Words Fail'

Weathers' family said in a statement on Feb. 2, according to Deadline and Variety, that he "died peacefully in his sleep." Just over a week later, a death certificate obtained by The Blast listed the actor's cause of death as "atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease."

"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers," said the family in their statement, adding, "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," they added. "He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend."

In a statement about Weathers' posthumous star, Walk of Fame ceremonies Producer Ana Martinez said, “The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor the late Carl Weathers with the second Sports Entertainment Walk of Fame star."

“Carl left an indelible mark on the worlds of sports and entertainment, and it is our honor to immortalize his legacy on our iconic sidewalk," she added. "We are happy to know that Weathers was actively involved in preparing to receive his star before his passing, and that he was very proud to be recognized with this prestigious honor."

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