Young folks may know him from his key role as Greef Karga on the Disney+ “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian,” Carl Weathers, who appeared in all three seasons, passed on February 1, 2024. His family reported he died peacefully in his sleep.
In 2021, he received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for the role. He also directed episodes of the show in its second and third seasons. But young folks don’t know that Carl was a linebacker for the Oakland Raiders. The NFL player became a Hollywood star, with leading roles in “Rocky,” “Predator” and “The Mandalorian.” He was 76.
Carl shot to stardom as boxer “Apollo Creed” opposite Sylvester Stallone in the “Rocky” series before the character died in “Rocky IV.” Though Carl died in the IV, he was not forgotten when Michael B. Jordan began the series “Creed” playing the son of Apollo, Carl’s character.
But when “Rocky” stopped, Carl went on to star in the 1987 “Predator,” opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger and opposite Carroll O’Connors in the television show, “In the Heat of the Night.” He got the title role in the 1988 action film “Action Jackson” and went on to comedy with Adam Sandler in”Happy Gilmore” and the voiceover for the animated film “Toy Story 4.”
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As we celebrate Black History Month, the October Gallery is getting ready for an engaging discussion on Super Bowl Sunday as they dive into the 100th anniversary of James Baldwin’s birth. Get ready for a thought-provoking conversation like no other. Don’t miss out! If you attended the conversation on Sunday, February 11, 2024, you had the opportunity to buy a $6 ticket to see Bob Marley’s “One Love” Movie at the October Gallery, 6353 Green St for the tickets. So, if you did not participate in the discussion, you will not be able to attend the special screening on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Plan B, Brad Pitt produced the film. Special screenings have already taken place in Jamaica. The movie centers around the Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley, who overcomes adversity to become the most famous reggae musician in the world.
Then, on Wednesday, February 21, from 12 noon to 7 pm, the October Gallery is having a pop-up art show hosted by Mercer Redcross and Frank Frazier at the Gallery location, 6343 Green St., Phila., PA 19144.
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City Councilman Curtis Jones’ office is holding a Parent University on Saturday, February 24, from 9 am to 3 pm at the School for the Future, 4021 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Participants will have access to a resource vendor, retail vendors, workshops, a high school/college fair, panel discussions, a kid zone, light breakfast, and lunch.
For more information, call 215-686-3416
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In 1961, 20-year-old Peter Sterling left Cornell University to join the Freedom Rides in Jackson, MS, where he was arrested and jailed. The experience shaped his eventual 20+ year career as a Penn Professor of Neuroscience, during which he split his time between the microscope and the streets of West Philly as a political activist. Join Dr. Sterling in a conversation with Ben Jealous, Executive Director of the Sierra Club and Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 5:30 pm-7 pm, Gutmann College House, 211 S 40th Street, Phila., PA 19104. Refreshments will be served. For more information, reach out to the African American Resource Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3643 Locust Walk.
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“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” has been on hiatus for some time now, and folks are wondering who is coming back and who is returning. Well, Kandi Burruss has confirmed she will not be returning to “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” after 14 seasons on the show.
The Grammy Award winner announced her decision to leave the show as she arrived at the Grammys on Sunday night. “I’ve been going back and forth, and I think because they gave us such a long break, I had a lot of time to do other things, and I’ve got some big announcements to make coming soon, so yeah,” she told ET on the red carpet. “I mean, I love the girls. They’re my friends. I’m still gonna see them and hang out with them. And Bravo is my family. I love them as well, but you know.”
Well, That’s The Philly Beat!!
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