MMA fighter turned actress Gina Carano shared a moving testimony of how Carl Weathers touched her life on the set of The Mandalorian as a tribute following the actor’s death.
(Left to right) Gina Carano is Cara Dune, Pedro Pascal is the Mandalorian and Carl Weathers is Greef Karga in THE MANDALORIAN, season two, exclusively on Disney+
A statement from Weathers’ family shared that he passed away at the age of 76, “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers.”
The statement continued, “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.”
Carl Weathers is Greef Carga in the Disney+ series THE MANDALORIAN.
Carano reacted to Weathers’ death sharing a statement on X. She began, “Hearing the news of Carl Weathers passing today is shocking, I’m going to struggle through these words… I was so looking forward to giving Carl the biggest hug at one of these fan expos I heard we were both going to be at this year. I looked forward to that reunion.”
“Carl called me directly after I was fired,” she shared. “I wasn’t in an emotional state where I could pick up the phone because of how upset I was, but we did end up speaking later on. He was gentle and encouraging and didn’t want me to give up, he was letting me know that he wasn’t throwing me away, he was trying to keep my hope alive in what seemed like quite hopeless scenario, he showed me he cared. That is who he was.”
Gina Carano is Cara Dune and Carl Weathers is Greef Karga in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN, season two, exclusively on Disney+. ©.
Carano then detailed how the two bonded over their shared career path. Weathers was a former NFL linebacker who transitioned into acting in the 70s while Carano was a MMA fighter who transitioned to acting in 2009 with Blood and Bone.
She wrote, “I bonded with him very closely on Mando season 1&2. Jon Favreau felt he would be a good mentor for me because we shared the athlete turned actor bond, so Jon had him direct my first episode in season 2 of Mando.”
“I believe had we gotten to Rangers of the New Republic, Carl would’ve directed me in much more. Jon F was right, we were a great fit,” she added.
(L-R): The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), Cara Dune (Gina Carano), Greef Karga (Carl Weathers) and The Child in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN, season two, exclusively on Disney+. © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
Next, she shared how Carl was one of her mentors, “Carl was a mentor to me on set, he would put both his arms on my shoulders and look me directly in the eyes to calm my spirit. He had a wonderful perspective of telling a story that can only come through his experience and wisdom that he shared with me to help make me shine. I cherish those moments.”
“I adored making him laugh, I always wanted to figure out how to make him smile, where the corner of his mouth would start to crack and I knew I had him, then out came his bellowing laugh. His laugh I can hear clearly now. His laugh that I will miss dearly,” she wrote.
Carano praised, “His big booming voice echoed throughout the stage and you just knew, this is what a movie star truly is. He obviously shined on screen but man did he light up with such passion in that directors chair.”
(L-R): Cara Dune (Gina Carano), The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), Mythrol (Horatio Sanz) and Greef Karga (Carl Weathers) in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN, season two, exclusively on Disney+. © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
“I’m going to miss my friend and mentor and that mischievous little sparkle in his eye. He was one of the greats and quite a ground breaker. I am flooded by all the precious memories we had together,” she concluded. “My condolences to his family and loved ones. He was a great man. Rest in peace my dear friend. As he would say Be peace my friend Be peace.”
Hearing the news of Carl Weathers passing today is shocking, I’m going to struggle through these words…
I was so looking forward to giving Carl the biggest hug at one of these fan expos I heard we were both going to be at this year. I looked forward to that reunion.
Carl… pic.twitter.com/nLrCLMQNQ1
— Gina Carano 🕯 (@ginacarano) February 3, 2024
Carano was not the only one to share a moving and emotional tribute to Weathers. The Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau released a statement through the official Star Wars blog. It read, “I am heartbroken by this devastating loss. He was a hero from my childhood who I was lucky enough to meet and then had the amazing good fortune to work with.”
Favreau added, “He had the energy and curiosity of a young man paired with the wisdom that his rich life and career afforded him. My heart goes out to his family and countless admirers.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 28: (L-R) The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger, Showrunner/Executive Producer Jon Favreau, Giancarlo Esposito, Amy Sedaris, Pedro Pascal, Emily Swallow, Katee Sackhoff, Executive Producer Rick Famuyiwa, Carl Weathers, Executive Producer Dave Filoni and Alan Bergman, Chairman of Disney Studios Content attend the Mandalorian special launch event at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 28, 2023. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Pedro Pascal, who plays Din Djarin in The Mandalorian, reacted to the sad news on Instagram simply writing, “words fail.
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Friendship and strength! RIP Mr. Weathers.