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Rocky star Carl Weathers has passed away, his family have confirmed.
Weathers is best known for his roles as Apollo Creed in 1976 classic Rocky and Greef Karga in Star Wars’ spin-off The Mandalorian.
The 76-year-old is reported as having passed away ‘peacefully’ on February 1, according to a statement his family shared with Deadline and Variety.
The full statement reads: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers.
“He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024.
“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.
“He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.”
Weathers’ career spanned an impressive 50 years, with the actor getting his first big break in Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky.
He reprised the role in Rocky II as well as Rocky III and completed his journey as heavyweight champion of the world Creed in Rocky IV.
You may also recognise the star from movies such as 1987 sci-fi release Predator, Happy Gilmore, and for his role in TV series Chicago PD – with Weathers taking on the character of Mark Jefferies.
Fans of his work have since flooded to social media broken-hearted by the news and to pay tribute to Weathers.
One X – formerly known as Twitter – user said: “Heartbreaking. What a phenomenal actor, and a wonderful man. He’s going to be dearly missed. So many iconic performances that will live on forever.”
“Sad to hear of his passing. He was hilarious in ‘Happy Gilmore’ and great in everything else he did,” another added.
A third commented: “Rest In Peace Carl. You were always great in the roles you played! Thank you for all your work over the years.”
“There is no tomorrow. You’re gonna have to go through hell. Worse than any nightmare that you’ve ever dreamed. But in the end, you know you’ll be the one standing. Rest in peace, Creed,” a fourth added.
And a final resolved: “A true talent has left us.
“Carl Weathers’ charismatic presence and remarkable performances will continue to inspire generations to come. Our hearts go out to his loved ones.”
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
Actor Ray Stevenson has died at the age of 58
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Ray Stevenson has died at the age of 58.
He was best known for starring roles in Punisher: War Zone and the Rome television show.
Variety confirmed the news with his publicist.
The Northern Irish actor died on Sunday, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Hollywood Reporter, though no further details were made available.
UNILAD has contacted Stevenson’s representatives for comment.
After appearing across several TV shows in the 90s, his first major film role came in Antoine Fuqua’s 2004’s adventure movie King Arthur.
He starred as Dagonet, one of the Knights of the Round Table.
However, the actor is perhaps best known for his 2008 role in Marvel film, Punisher: War Zone, where he played titular mercenary, Frank Castle, and as Volstagg in the Thor franchise.
More recently, Stevenson appeared in the action drama RRR and acted alongside Liam Neeson in the crime thriller Memory.
He also plays one of the main antagonists in the upcoming Star Wars series Ahsoka.
“Getting to wield the light saber is just the best feeling in the world,” he said at a public appearance at Star Wars Celebration in April.
“The first time they handed it to for the camera test, I couldn’t help myself, I made the noise.”
Tributes have been pouring in on social media, with one person tweeting: “RIP legend.
“I’ll always stand by Punisher: Warzone on a totally kickass fun flick that people completely slept on.”
Another said: “Damn. He was the highlight of Season 7 of Dexter. RIP.”
“RIP to a true legend. My deepest condolences to his family and friends,” a third wrote.
A fourth added: “Really sorry to hear it. He was AMAZING as Titus Pullo in Rome!”
“His role in Rome TV show will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace,” another said.
In an interview with backtstage.com, the actor revealed how he prepare for an audition.
He said: “There was an actor I was talking to in L.A., and she said, ‘I’d like to go over this audition piece.’ And I start to go over it with her and she goes, ‘Do I have to learn it?’ I looked at her and my heart sank, like, why would you not want to? You’ve got a chance to be an actor for three or four minutes.
“Why do you not delight in learning it and then letting the director direct you? So, how do I prepare? It just comes in the reading and the playing of the thing. You have no idea who’s going to be reading or acting with you, so you’ve got to leave [yourself] free enough, but you’ve got to learn what the scene is about.”
The Boys star Erin Moriarty hits back at Megyn Kelly’s ‘horrifying’ plastic surgery accusations
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The Boys’ Erin Moriarty has responded to former Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly ‘reporting false information’ about her.
The 29-year-old – who plays Annie January in the hit satirical superhero TV series – has taken to her social media to speak out after facing ‘harassment’ online after a series of comments made by Kelly on her podcast.
Moriarty took to her Instagram yesterday (26 January) to speak out about the issue.
She said: “This is something I truly never anticipated writing. We’re all subject to levels of bullying throughout our lives but I am horrified, and I felt that I deserved to take a second to address these things.
“[…] I’ve had one of the most challenging weeks of my life.
“And I specifically thought that as I emerge from this period of time – so stressed that I have BARELY been able to eat and sleep. I thought, ok, I’m going to emerge this 10 pounds thinner and the verbal abuse/ accusations will be flying – usually either drug use or just flippant ‘eat a burger’ comment.”
While the actor notes you ‘become teflon’ to such comments, she ended up receiving ‘a message about a disgustingly false, counterproductive to the degree of being ironically misogynistic video of Megyn Kelly commenting on the manner’.
And after realising how ‘widespread’ the video was too, she was ‘horrified’.
But what did Kelly say? Well, on an episode of The Megyn Kelly Show podcast aired on 17 January, the host sat down with The Daily Wire’s Michael Knowles to discuss plastic surgery.
Not only did Kelly call it a ‘social illness’, but she then proceeded to use Moriarty as an example of someone who has an ‘addiction’ to the surgery.
Kelly got up an image of the actor during the episode, which she said was ‘relatively recent’ ,calling Moriarty a ‘nice, beautiful natural girl’.
However, she then showed an apparent newer image, saying she thought it ‘was an AI-generated face’.
Moriarty has since said the ‘before’ image was actually taken ‘a year ago’ and ‘before [she] was of LEGAL DRINKING AGE’.
And the ‘after’ picture, a day when she’d had her makeup ‘done’ with some ‘major contouring’.
“I remember leaving and feeling pretty. And even that day was an immensely stressful day for me. I cam running to those girls and I showed up in tears after what had happened that day and I left feeling better simply because I felt like they had reduced my lack of sleep and worked their magic wands,” the actor reflects.
The Boys actor continues in her Instagram post: “How utterly misinformed, inaccurate and clickbait seeking people who we follow and consider to be informed is appalling.”
She has since deleted the Instagram picture of herself that Kelly used as the second ‘example,’ resolving: “[…] I saw the comments, scathing enough to just turn my comments off. But this is becoming harassment. This is becoming false news.”
The ‘horrific allegations’ combined with the ‘verbal abuse’ has ‘broken [her] heart’ and she ‘will not accept’ the way she’s being treated.
Moriarty notes she hasn’t deactivated her Instagram because she wants people to see her statement, but that they should ‘consider it deactivated’ while she takes ‘an extensive if not permanent break’.
She resolves: “You never know what someone is going through, social media is a platform that is not representative of a whole person and irregardless there is no excuse for the words that have been spoken directly to me or about me. Shame on you Megyn Kelly. Shem on you, Fox News.”
In her caption, the actor later corrected her labelling of Kelly as a Fox News reporter, adding: “I’d like to correct one piece of information in an effort to be the one who is not reporting false information to say that Megyn Kelly is no longer with Fox News.”
UNILAD has contacted Kelly and Fox News for comment.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline.
Saving Private Ryan star Tom Sizemore dies at the age of 61
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Tom Sizemore, known for roles in Saving Private Ryan and Natural Born Killers, has died at the age of 61.
The US actor was placed in a coma after suffering a brain aneurysm and collapsing at his Los Angeles home on February 18.
His manager Charles Lago confirmed that Sizemore had died in his sleep on Friday at a hospital in Burbank, California.
Lago said: “I am very saddened by the loss of not only a client but a great friend and mentor of almost 15 years.
“Tom was one of the most sincere, kind and generous human beings I have had the pleasure of knowing.
“His courage and determination through adversity was always an inspiration to me.
“The past couple of years were great for him and he was getting his life back to a great place.
“He loved his sons and his family.
“I will miss my friend Tom Sizemore greatly.
“The Sizemore family has been comforted by the hundreds of messages of support and love shown to their son, brother and father.
“They are asking for privacy during this difficult time and I am asking for those wishes to please be respected.”
Prior to his death, his family said they were ‘now deciding end-of-life matters’.
His brother Paul said: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of my big brother Tom. He was larger than life. He has influenced my life more than anyone I know.
“He was talented, loving, giving and could keep you entertained endlessly with his wit and storytelling ability.”
Paying tribute to the late actor, Licence to Kill and The Goonies actor Robert Davi highlighted Sizemore’s ‘struggle with addiction’.
He tweeted: “His family has my prayers – Tom and I were friends I knew of his suffering & his struggle with addiction – he was a terrific talent – Many families suffer from the heartbreak and tragedy of this disease and we do not do enough!!”
Sizemore was praised for his portrayal of professional thief Michael Cheritto in the heist film Heat, written and directed by Michael Mann and starring the legendary Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.
As well as movies, he also made a contribution to the popular video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City voicing mob boss Sonny Forelli.
Sizemore is survived by his 17-year-old twin sons, Jayden and Jagger, and his brother Paul, all of whom were by his side when he died.
Ed O’Neill reveals what sparked bitter feud with ‘Married With Children’ co-star Amanda Bearse
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Ed O’Neill has revealed what exactly happened between him and his Married… With Children co-star Amanda Bearse to spark their bitter feud.
If you’re asked to promote your show, would you jeopardise it for the sake of keeping others happy?
Well, that’s the choice that Ed O’Neill was handed after being cornered by colleagues as he was due to appear on a cover shoot to promote Married… With Children.
The 77-year-old recently got candid about the moment he regrets the most after staring in the iconic sitcom.
The hit show ran from 1987 to 1997 and explored the story of the Bundy family, who ran into hilarious situations whilst trying to navigate ordinary life.
The series starred O’Neill as Al Bundy, a shoe salesman, who lived with his wife, Peggy (Katey Sagal), his popular daughter, Kelly (Christina Applegate) and his smart but unpopular son, Bud (David Faustino).
It was TV magic.
But it was behind the scenes where a long-time friendship took a turn for the worst.
The actor was honest about his fall-out with co-star Amanda Bearse while chatting with Modern Family co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson on his Dinner’s On Me podcast.
O’Neill said their rift began after he didn’t stand up for Bearse and other cast members after they were excluded from a TV Guide cover shoot.
He explained: “I did a thing on the show that involved Amanda Bearse that I regretted. We didn’t get along, but we did for a long time. We were great friends.
“And I could guess, I don’t want to speak for her, but it started when we got the cover of TV Guide.”
Bearse, who played Marcy D’Arcy and David Garrison, who was casted as Steve Rhoades, were excluded from the cover as they ‘were the neighbors’ on the show.
O’Neill said: “We didn’t get along, but we did for a long time. We were great friends. And I could guess, I don’t want to speak for her, but it started when we got the cover of TV Guide.
He went on to claim that Bearse wanted him to stand up for her others who weren’t going to be put forward for the cover shoot, but he was too afraid to jeopardize it for fear that they would lose the opportunity.
He said: “Because they had a rule: only so many could be on the cover.”
However, the actor went on to reveal that TV Guide made exceptions for other shows and allowed more people to feature on the cover.
He shared: “Now they violated that for like two shows, I think it was ‘MASH,’ and ‘Dallas.’ That was an exception, they weren’t doing it for us.”
The Modern Family star did in fact go on to pose for the cover in 1989 with co-stars Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate and David Faustino and didn’t speak up for his cast mates.
He explained why he didn’t speak up: “We were lucky to get it. It was like the sixth year in or something, and we were thrilled to get the cover of TV Guide. It was big. And Amanda and David came out in unison from their dressing room.
“We were on the soundstage, and she said, ‘We expect you to go to [co-creator] Ron Leavitt and tell him this doesn’t work. We’re all on the cover’.”
But he regrets not standing up for his castmates and would go back and change the outcome if he could.