Sylvester Stallone paid an emotional tribute to the late Carl Weathers on Friday, calling the death of his “Rocky” co-star “a horrible loss.”
Weathers, 76, died on Thursday of natural causes. He starred as Apollo Creed in the first four “Rocky” films and also appeared in “The Mandalorian,” “Predator” and “Happy Gilmore.”
Stallone, 77, a three-time Academy Award nominee -- including two for the original “Rocky” movie in 1976 -- posted a video on his personal Instagram account on Friday, Variety reported. He was standing in front of a painting depicting their iconic characters, Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed, facing off in the boxing ring.
“Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I’m so torn up, I can’t even tell you. I’m just trying to hold it in because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success -- everything about it, I give him incredible credit and kudos,” Stallone said in his video. “Because when he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness. But I didn’t realize how great.
“I never could’ve accomplished what we did with ‘Rocky’ without him.”
Weathers starred in the first four “Rocky” films as Apollo Creed, but the character died in the 1985 film “Rocky IV,” Variety reported.
[ Carl Weathers, ‘Rocky,’ ‘The Mandalorian’ star, dies at 76 ]
Weathers’ legacy in the “Rocky” franchise was extended in the 2015 film “Creed,” which starred Michael B. Jordan as Creed’s son, Adonis Johnson, according to IMDb.com.
Stallone struggled with his emotions as he talked about his friend.
[ Super Bowl LVIII: FanDuel will adjust ad that included Carl Weathers ]
“He was absolutely brilliant -- his voice, his size, his presence, his athletic ability, but, most importantly, his heart, his soul. It’s a horrible loss,” Stallone said in his video. “He was magic. I was so fortunate to be part of his life. Apollo, keep punching.”
Through the years Kino. Rocky, USA, 1976, Regie: John G. Avildsen, Darsteller: Sylvester Stallone, Carl Weathers. (Photo by FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images) (United Archives/FilmPublicityArchive/United Arch)
Through the years Los Angeles, CA - 1985: Carl Weathers promotional photo for the ABC tv series 'Braker'. (Photo by Chic Donchin /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images) (Walt Disney Television Photo Arc/ABC)
Through the years Unspecified - 1986: (L-R) Robert Urich, Carl Weathers appearing in the ABC tv movie 'The Defiant Ones'. (Photo by American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images) (Walt Disney Television Photo Arc/ABC)
Through the years Vanity and Carl Weathers publicity portrait for the film 'Action Jackson', 1988. (Photo by Lorimar/Getty Images) (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Through the years Los Angeles, CA - 1990: (L-R) Carl Weathers, Lonette McKee, Billy Dee Williams promotional photo for the ABC tv movie 'Dangerous Passion'. (Photo by Craig Sjodin /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images) (Walt Disney Television Photo Arc/ABC)
Through the years Carl Weathers and Paul Newman during 10th Annual Scott Newman Gala at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Through the years 1994: Promotional studio portrait of American actors Carl Weathers (left) and Carroll O'Connor (1924 - 2001), from the television series, 'In the Heat of the Night'. O'Connor wears a white cowboy hat. (Photo by Fotos International/Getty Images) (Fotos International/Getty Images)
Through the years Carl Weathers talks to Adam Sandler in a scene from the film 'Happy Gilmore', 1996. (Photo by Universal/Getty Images) (Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 7: Actors Carl Weathers and Sly Stallone pose at singer Frank Stallone's CD Listening and Release party at Capital Records on August 7, 2003 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK - MAY 18: (L-R) Actors Michael Straham, Joely Fisher and Carl Weathers attend Fox's Upfront presentation at New York City Center on May 18, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Fox) (Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Fox)
Through the years PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 18: Executive producer Dick Wolf, left, and actor Carl Weathers of the television show 'Chicago Justice' speak onstage during the NBCUniversal portion of the 2017 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour at the Langham Hotel on January 18, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 11: Carl Weathers attends the world premiere of Disney and Pixar's TOY STORY 4 at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Through the years ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 23: (L-R) Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito, and Executive producer/writer Jon Favreau of 'The Mandalorian' took part today in the Disney+ Showcase at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2019 in Anaheim, Calif. 'The Mandalorian' will stream exclusively on Disney+, which launches November 12. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Through the years ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 28: (L-R) Pedro Pascal and Carl Weathers attend the panel for “The Mandalorian” series at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California on May 28, 2022. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 11: (L-R) Din Djarin character and Carl Weathers attend The Mandalorian FYC Event at DGA Theater Complex in Hollywood, California on June 11, 2023. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 11: Carl Weathers attends The Mandalorian FYC Event at DGA Theater Complex in Hollywood, California on June 11, 2023. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Carl Weathers FILE PHOTO: Moderator Carl Weathers speaks onstage during The Mandalorian FYC Event at DGA Theater Complex in Hollywood, California on June 11, 2023. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Through the years American actors Sylvester Stallone and Talia Shire embrace in a headshot still from the film, 'Rocky,' directed by John G. Avildsen, 1976. Stallone's face is bruised. (Photo by United Artists/Authenticated News/Courtesy of Getty Images) (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Through the years American actor Sylvester Stallone sits on a staircase while holding the leash of a dog wearing a football jersey in a still from the film, 'Rocky,' directed by John G. Avildsen, 1976. (Photo by United Artists/Courtesy of Getty Images) (United Artists/Getty Images)
Through the years Sylvester Stallone gives a pep talk in a scene from the film 'F.I.S.T', 1978. (Photo by United Artists/Getty Images) (Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Through the years 1981: Sylvester Stallone stars in the World War II film 'Victory', directed by John Huston. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Through the years American actor and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone on the set of "First Blood" based on the novel by Canadian David Morrell and directed by Ted Kotcheff. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images) (Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 2: The movie "First Blood", directed by Ted Kotcheff. Based on David Morrell's novel of the same name. Seen here, Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo. Initial theatrical release October 2, 1982. Screen capture. Paramount Pictures. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images) (CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images)
Through the years Los Angeles, California: Sylvester Stallone and his wife Brigitte Nielson are all smiles as he displays his People's Choice award. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Through the years 15 Apr 2000: Sylvester Stallone during the making of his film "Champs" during practice for round three and race two of the C.A.R.T. (Championship Auto Racing Teams) FedEx Championship Series in Long Beach,California. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Ferrey/ALLSPORT (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Through the years Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone at the "2002 World Stunt Awards" at Barker Hanger, Santa Monica , Ca. Sunday, May 19, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 7: Singer Frank Stallone (L) and his brother actor Sly Stallone arrive at Frank Stallone's CD Listening and Release party at Capital Records on August 7, 2003 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 16: Actor Sylvester Stallone runs with the Olympic Torch on the beach to start the flames tour of America June 16, 2004 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images) (Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)
Through the years LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 03: Actor Sylvester Stallone waves to the crowd as scenes from the film "Rocky VI" are filmed before the start of the Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor fight at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on December 3, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD - DECEMBER 13: Actors Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone arrives at the premiere of MGM's "Rocky Balboa" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on December 13, 2006 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Through the years TOKYO - SEPTEMBER 26: Director and actor Sylvester Stallone (L) and actor Dolph Lundgren pose during the premiere of 'The Expendables' at Shibuya-AX on September 26, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open on October 16 in Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) (Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD - OCTOBER 11: Actor Sylvester Stallone and wife Jennifer Flavin arrives at a special screening of Summit Entertainment's 'RED' at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on October 11, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Through the years COLOGNE, GERMANY - AUGUST 06: Sylvester Stallone attends the German premiere of the film 'The Expendables 3' at Residenz Kino on August 6, 2014 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images) (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
Through the years LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 21: Actors Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan attend Warner Bros. Pictures Invites You to "The Big Picture," an Exclusive Presentation Highlighting the Summer of 2015 and Beyond at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, on April 21, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for CinemaCon) (Alberto E. Rodriguez)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 05: Actor Sylvester Stallone attends the 2015 National Board of Review Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on January 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Through the years BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 08: (L-R) Actor Sylvester Stallone, Scarlet Rose Stallone, Sophia Rose Stallone and Sistine Rose Stallone attend The 2017 InStyle and Warner Bros. 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards Post-Party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 8, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for InStyle) (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for InStyle)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 06: Sylvester Stallone attends the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures And Gravity Pictures' "The Meg" at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on August 6, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Through the years BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 21: Sylvester Stallone attends Premiere Of "One Night: Joshua Vs. Ruiz" at Writers Guild Theater on November 21, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Through the years CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 24: Sylvester Stallone attends the photocall for Sylvester Stallone & Rambo V: Last Blood during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 24, 2019 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (Pascal LeSegretain/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 02: Sylvester Stallone attends the Warner Bros. premiere of "The Suicide Squad" at Regency Village Theatre on August 02, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years HAGEN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 03: Sylvester Stallone attends a press conference during the opening of the exhibition "Sylvester Stallone - Retrospektive zum 75. Geburtstag" at Osthaus Museum Hagen on December 03, 2021 in Hagen, Germany. The exhibition will run from December 3, 2021 until February 20, 2022. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images) (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
Through the years LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 20: Sylvester Stallone arrives at the Paramount+ UK launch at Outernet London on June 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images for Paramount+) (Joe Maher/Getty Images for Paramount+)