Net Worth Ranker
What Is Carl Weathers’ Net Worth?
At the time of his passing on February 1, 2024, Carl Weathers, the multifaceted American actor, director, producer, and former football player, had a net worth of $8 million. This figure reflects his decades-long career spanning professional sports and entertainment, showcasing his success in both arenas. Weathers’s financial standing was a testament to his diverse talents and business acumen, cultivated over years of hard work and strategic decision-making.
Detailed Breakdown of Carl Weathers’ Career and Earnings
Carl Weathers’ career was characterized by versatility, extending from the football field to the silver screen. After retiring from professional football in 1974, Weathers transitioned to acting, amassing over 80 acting credits. His roles in the “Rocky” franchise as Apollo Creed (1976–1985), Colonel Al Dillon in “Predator” (1987), Jericho “Action” Jackson in “Action Jackson” (1988), and Chubbs Peterson in “Happy Gilmore” (1996) brought him significant recognition and income. These notable performances solidified his position in Hollywood, leading to further opportunities in television and film.
In addition to acting, Weathers expanded his involvement in the entertainment industry by directing episodes of television shows such as “Silk Stalkings” (1993–1997), “Hawaii Five-0” (2019), and “Chicago Med” (2021). His roles as producer on “The Defiant Ones” (1986), “Fortune Dane” (1986), and “Always Night” (2013), along with writing and producing the 2018 short film “A Burger and a Bullet,” highlight his diverse skill set and business ventures within the creative arts.
Weathers’s role as Greef Karga on the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian,” beginning in 2019, marked a resurgence in his career. Details regarding his specific salary per episode or season for “The Mandalorian” are not publicly available, but it is reasonable to assume that his involvement in such a high-profile series significantly contributed to his net worth in his later years. The success of “The Mandalorian” provided Weathers with renewed visibility and opportunities, enhancing his overall financial standing.
His involvement in “Toy Story 4” (2019) as the voice of Combat Carl, a film that grossed $1.073 billion at the box office, also added to his income. While specific details about Weathers’s compensation for this role are not public, voice acting in a major animated film can be a lucrative endeavor.
Throughout his career, Carl Weathers balanced his creative pursuits with strategic business decisions, contributing to his financial success. From the Rocky movies, Predator to the television series like The Mandalorian, his work sustained a continuous income stream. While precise figures for each role are confidential, his diversified approach to revenue generation helped build his $8 million net worth.
Early Life and Education Contributing to Weathers’ Future Success
Born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Carl Weathers began his journey with an athletic scholarship to St. Augustine High School in eighth grade. His participation in football, soccer, wrestling, boxing, judo, and gymnastics laid the groundwork for his future in sports and entertainment. The family’s move to Southern California led him to Long Beach Polytechnic High School, and he later enrolled at Long Beach City College before transferring to San Diego State University.
In 1966, an ankle injury sidelined his football aspirations at Long Beach City College, but his determination led him to San Diego State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in drama in 1974. This transition from athletics to the dramatic arts was a pivotal moment in his life, opening up opportunities in the entertainment industry. His background in sports provided him with discipline and physical presence, while his education in drama equipped him with the skills needed for acting.
Weathers’ early life experiences and educational achievements were instrumental in shaping his future success. His athletic prowess provided him with opportunities and a strong foundation, while his education in drama honed his skills in acting and storytelling. These early experiences helped him transition from the football field to the stage and screen, contributing to his net worth through his diverse career in entertainment.
Carl Weathers’ Football Career and Earnings
Carl Weathers’ football career began in college, where he played as a defensive end. After transferring to San Diego State University, he was a letterman for the school’s football team, the Aztecs, in 1968 and 1969, helping them win the Pasadena Bowl in 1969. His achievements led to his ranking as #18 in the Final UPI Poll.
In 1970, he signed as a free agent with the Oakland Raiders, playing as a linebacker in seven games in 1970 and one game in 1971. He helped the Raiders win the 1970 AFC West Division title. Released in 1971, he then signed with the Canadian Football League team, the BC Lions, where he played from 1971 until 1973, appearing in 18 games. He retired from football in 1974 to pursue acting.
Specific details about Weathers’ earnings during his football career are not publicly available. NFL salaries in the early 1970s were considerably lower than they are today, and free agent contracts and endorsements were not as lucrative as they later became. While his football career may not have directly contributed significantly to his eventual $8 million net worth, it provided him with visibility, discipline, and a platform for his transition to acting.
Carl’s narration of NFL Films’ season recaps during the 1999, 2000, and 2001 seasons, and his appearance in pre-draft coverage on the NFL Network in 2017, also added to his income. Although the exact amount he earned from these ventures is not public, it is reasonable to assume that these engagements provided additional income and opportunities for his personal development. He leveraged his athletic background to earn additional income beyond his film career.
Details on Acting Career and Financial Impact on Net Worth
Carl Weathers’ acting career began with an uncredited role in the 1973 film “Magnum Force.” In 1975, he appeared in “Friday Foster” and “Bucktown,” and guest-starred on “Good Times,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” and “Kung Fu.” His breakthrough role came in 1976 as Apollo Creed in “Rocky,” which grossed $225 million at the box office. His reprisal of the role in “Rocky II” (1979), “Rocky III” (1982), and “Rocky IV” (1985) cemented his status as a Hollywood star.
Following the success of “Rocky,” Weathers appeared in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977) and “Semi-Tough” (1977), and starred in “Force 10 from Navarone” (1978) and “Death Hunt” (1982). He also appeared in TV movies such as “The Bermuda Depths” (1978), “Braker” (1985), and “The Defiant Ones” (1986). His role as the title character in the 1986 crime drama “Fortune Dane” and his co-starring role with Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator” (1987) further enhanced his career.
From 1989 to 1990, he had a recurring role as Col. Brewster on the CBS military drama “Tour of Duty.” He played Adam Beaudreaux on the crime drama “Street Justice” (1991–1993) and Police Chief Hampton Forbes on “In the Heat of the Night” (1993–1995). His appearance in Adam Sandler movies like “Happy Gilmore” (1996), “Little Nicky” (2000), and “Eight Crazy Nights” (2002) brought him additional exposure and income.
His appearances on television shows like “The Shield” (2003, 2007) and “Arrested Development” (2004, 2013) and his voice acting role in “Toy Story of Terror!” (2013) and “Toy Story 4” (2019) added to his diversified income. His roles in films like “Think Like a Man Too” (2014) and television series like “Colony” (2016) and “Chicago Justice” (2017) further illustrate his continued presence in the entertainment industry.
While specific salary details for each role are confidential, it is evident that Carl Weathers’ acting career contributed significantly to his $8 million net worth. The sustained income from his various roles, combined with his work as a director and producer, provided him with a stable and diversified financial foundation. His ability to maintain a consistent presence in the entertainment industry over several decades is a testament to his talent and business acumen.
Real Estate and Personal Assets
In 2004, Carl Weathers purchased a home in Venice, California, for $1.365 million. Given the appreciation of real estate values in Venice since then, this home’s current estimated value is between $3 and $4 million. This real estate investment represents a significant portion of his net worth, reflecting his strategic asset management.
Specific details regarding Carl Weathers’ ownership of private planes or luxury cars are not publicly available. However, it is common for successful actors and entertainers to own high-value assets such as luxury vehicles. Any such assets would contribute to his overall net worth, but without concrete data, their precise impact cannot be determined.
Awards, Nominations, and Recognition Impacting Net Worth
In 1988, Carl Weathers received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for “Action Jackson.” In 2014, he won a Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Male Vocal Performance in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short for “Toy Story of Terror!,” and he and his castmates received a nomination for Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short. In 2016, Weathers was inducted into the International Mustache Hall of Fame. While these awards and nominations may not have directly contributed to his net worth through monetary prizes, they enhanced his reputation and visibility, potentially leading to further opportunities and income.
Personal Life and Family
Carl Weathers married Mary Ann Castle on February 17, 1973, and they had sons Matthew and Jason before divorcing in 1983. He married Rhona Unsell on February 20, 1984, and after their 2006 divorce, Weathers was married to Jennifer Peterson from March 2007 until early 2009. Details about alimony or divorce settlements are not publicly available, so their financial impact on his net worth cannot be accurately assessed.
