Sylvester Stallone, Adam Sandler, Pedro Pascal pay tribute to late Carl Weathers

Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Sylvester Stallone is paying tribute to his longtime friend and Rocky co-star Carl Weathers, who died this week at the age of 76.

"We lost a legend yesterday. My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest in power and keeping punching," Stallone wrote on Instagram Friday.

Weathers played fictional boxer Apollo Creed to Stallone's Rocky Balboa in four Rocky movies.

Weathers is also known for his roles in The Mandalorian, Predator, Action Jackson, Chicago Justice and the Toy Story animated franchise.

Adam Sandler said on X of his Happy Gilmore co-star: "A true great man. Great dad. Great actor. Great athlete. So much fun to be around always.

"Smart as hell. Loyal as hell," Sandler added. "Funny as hell. Loved his sons more than anything. What a guy!! Everyone loved him. My wife and I had the best times with him every time we saw him. Love to his entire family and Carl will always be known as a true legend."

Pascal posted, "Words fail," alongside a broken heart emoji and photo of Weathers on Instagram.