who played apollo creed in the movie rocky
Apollo Creed


Apollo Creed is a fictional character from the "Rocky" films. He was played by Carl Weathers. He is a tough but agile boxer, who is, as the series begins, the undisputed heavyweight world champion. The character was inspired by the real-life champion Muhammad Ali, having what one author remarked as the same "brash, vocal, [and] theatrical" personality. Sylvester Stallone stated, "[Jack] Johnson served as the inspiration for the character of Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies";
605054
Rocky V


including Al Bernstein, Stan Hochman and Al Meltzer, and sportscaster Stu Nahan, who was the ringside announcer in the original "Rocky" film and was the ring announcer in each "Rocky" movie, save the sixth and seventh movies. Both Dolph Lundgren and Carl Weathers appear as Ivan Drago and Apollo Creed in archive footage, uncredited. The character "Tommy Gunn" was played by Tommy Morrison. Morrison's nickname prior to his retirement from boxing was "The Duke" similar to George Washington Duke, who becomes his
19865257
Adonis Creed


Adonis "Donnie" Creed, “Hollywood Donnie”, (born Adonis Johnson; June 1, 1986), is the protagonist and titular character from the "Rocky" film series sequel, "Creed". The character is played by Michael B. Jordan, in the original movie as well as in the sequel "Creed II". In the fictional setting of the films, Adonis is the illegitimate son of the late and former world champion Apollo Creed, the result of an affair by the former heavyweight champion and a
8825906
Rocky Balboa


official currency. Balboa was also inspired by other fighting legends: Joe Frazier, for his Philadelphia origin, training methods and victory against Muhammad Ali (the inspiration for Apollo Creed), and Jake LaMotta, for his Italian-inner city roots, ability to absorb many blows and his rivalry with Sugar Ray Robinson, which heavily resembled Rocky and Apollo's. However, it was the not-so-legendary Chuck Wepner who inspired the movie and Balboa's underdog personality. Rocky Balboa fights as a southpaw (left-handed
20238507
Clubber Lang


attack which later proves fatal (Mickey had shown signs of heart weakness earlier in the movie, and refused to go to a hospital until Rocky came back from the fight). He also angers the former champion Apollo Creed by refusing to shake his hand before the fight and challenging Creed to hit him. With Rocky, who did not take his training seriously leading into the fight, now distracted by his trainer's condition, Clubber knocks him out in two rounds to hand him his first defeat since Creed defeated him in 1976
8392556
Apollo Creed


states, "Apollo won't know what hit him." Rocky's pupil Tommy Gunn also claimed to have been a fan of Rocky since his first fight with Apollo. Tommy was eventually allowed to wear Creed's trunks. There was a poster of Apollo and Rocky during the events of "Rocky II" in Rocky Jr's bedroom before the Balboas went bankrupt. During Tommy's fight with Union Cane, Rocky commented that it was like his own first fight with Apollo. Later, during Rocky's street fight with Tommy
605078
Apollo Creed


corner, Apollo is overly confident that he can dispense of Drago with ease. However, Apollo is not ready for the extreme size and strength of the Russian. After taunting the Russian and landing a number of ineffectual punches, Creed is pummeled badly in the first round. Rocky wants to stop the fight but Apollo refuses. Apollo adamantly tells Rocky not to stop the fight "no matter what...no matter what!" By the start of the second round, Drago pummels Creed with ease. Rocky again tries to stop
605075
List of Rocky characters


Apollo Creed. In "Creed", she adopts Adonis Johnson, who is Apollo's illegitimate son, in 1998. In 2015, she discovers that Adonis has quit a lucrative job at a securities firm to follow his father's footsteps as a boxer, much to her dismay. She eventually supports him by sending him a pair of "stars and stripes" boxing trunks for his match against "Pretty" Ricky Conlan. Mary Anne Creed is portrayed by Lavelle Roby in "Rocky", Sylvia Meals in "Rocky II
12292160
Apollo Creed


Lang, who laughs off the prospect of "one has-been teaching another" during a television interview. The pair subsequently travels to the "Tough Gym" in Los Angeles, California, where Creed used to train, in preparation for a rematch with Lang. Creed encourages Rocky not to ignore the naysayers that say he is too old but instead refocus himself. During this talk, he states, "Now when we fought…you had that eye of the tiger". This quote is referred to throughout the movie
605069
Rocky III


, who witnessed the match as a guest analyst. Creed offers to help train Rocky for a rematch against Lang in exchange for a future favor which Rocky accepts. Apollo then takes Rocky to the gym where he once trained, Tough Gym in Los Angeles. Creed, along with his former trainer Tony "Duke" Evers, infuses Rocky's brawling style with more of Apollo's trademark footwork, skill and speed to become a more complete fighter. At first, Rocky is too distracted and demoralized to put forth his best efforts
19185830
Rocky (2002 video game)


Rocky is a fighting video game published by Rage Software and released in 2002. The game is based on the "Rocky" movies. In the game the player controls Rocky Balboa on his journey from a club fighter, facing opponents like Spider Rico, until his championship bout against Apollo Creed and beyond. The game sticks closely to the movies with all characters being at least mentioned in the movies. In at least the PAL markets the PS2 and Xbox versions of the game were packaged alongside the original "Rocky" DVD release
12720738
Apollo Creed


photo of his first fight with Apollo but his face is censored and Rocky's face is covered by a scrap of paper with Paulie's head. During the commentary before the Rocky vs Mason Dixon fight, a montage of Rocky's opponents is shown which excludes his two fights against Apollo. In the seventh installment, it has been revealed that Creed had an affair sometime before his death, and from that, Adonis Johnson Creed was born. After his biological mother's death in the late '90s, Apollo's widow,
605080
Apollo Creed


the fight by throwing in the towel. Apollo tells Rocky not to stop the fight, giving Drago a chance to deliver a fatal blow (as Rocky drops the towel causing the fight to stop) to Apollo, who dies in Rocky's arms in the middle of the ring. Drago wins by technical knockout. An enraged Rocky then sets out to avenge Apollo's death by beating Drago in the Soviet Union, with the Soviet premier and the Politburo looking on. He succeeds as the film ends with Rocky winning the fight
605076
Apollo Creed


by knockout in the last round. With his character's death, Carl Weathers departed the franchise after "Rocky IV". In "Rocky V", the fifth installment of the series, after Rocky Balboa defeated Ivan Drago, Apollo's trainer Duke congratulated Rocky by showing that he made everyone proud, especially for Apollo by holding up his red, white, and blue trunks. Apollo was thereafter only mentioned briefly in past tenses, including a flashback scene between Mickey and Rocky before Balboa's first fight with Creed where Mickey
605077
Creed (film)


On December 16, Tessa Thompson was added to the cast as the female lead. On January 8, 2015, Phylicia Rashad reportedly joined the film to play Mary Anne Creed, Apollo's widow. Sylvia Meals, who portrayed Mrs. Creed in "Rocky II" and "Rocky IV" had died in 2011. On January 21, Graham McTavish tweeted about his involvement in the film. Principal photography began on January 19, 2015 on location at Goodison Park, with the first scene shot taking place during a Barclays Premier League
14456005
List of Rocky characters


Rocky in his rematch with Apollo. Tony Gazzo is portrayed by Joe Spinell. George "Miles" Jergens is a successful boxing promoter who oversees Apollo Creed's fights. After Apollo proposes to fight a local contender for his United States Bicentennial match, Jergens invites Rocky to his office to secure a deal for the main event. George "Miles" Jergens is portrayed by Thayer David. Spider Rico is a Puerto Rican boxer who is Rocky's first opponent in "Rocky". Both men fight in the match that is heavily
12292151
Tony "Duke" Evers


Rocky", Duke serves as Apollo's manager for Creed as the player (as Rocky) is reenacting the storylines for "Rocky I" & "Rocky II". Duke then joins the player's ringside when Apollo Creed becomes the manager during the "Rocky III" storyline, and Rocky's manager during the "Rocky IV" timeline. The role of Tony Duke is expanded during the "Rocky V" storyline, serving as Rocky's trainer in between fights and manager during fights. "Rocky Legends" gives more
13145950
Rocky Balboa


's now-abandoned gym. Despaired and lost, Rocky meets Apollo Creed in the darkened gym, who explains to Rocky that when they fought, he won because he was competitive. He has the 'fire' Apollo no longer has and the former champion convinces Rocky that he needs to get his fire ("the eye of the tiger") back. Along with his old trainer, Tony "Duke" Evers, Apollo offers to train Rocky for a rematch against Lang, taking Rocky to Los Angeles. While training
20238456
Rocky V


" and "IV". As a promotional gimmick, replicas of the necklace were distributed to moviegoers at the Hollywood premiere of "Rocky V" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The famous red, white and blue boxing trunks first worn by Apollo Creed in his fight with Rocky in the first film make their fifth and final appearance in this film. Rocky's leather coat introduced in "Rocky" makes its third and final appearance in the franchise at the start of the movie. The "Ring" magazine belt in Rocky
19865262
Ryan Coogler


disorder; his father was a huge fan of the "Rocky" films, having made Coogler watch "Rocky II" before major sporting events that he would participate in, such as important football games. "Creed", which was released on November 25, 2015 in the United States, reunited Coogler with Michael B. Jordan, who played Apollo Creed's son Adonis. The film was praised across the board by critics. For the film, Coogler won the New Generation Award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and a
3684107
Apollo Creed


the character is loosely based on a combination of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Joe Louis, and Jack Johnson. Protagonist Rocky Balboa, Creed's rival in "Rocky" and "Rocky II", faces underdog odds (five-to-one in "Rocky II") and views Creed with respect, pointedly refusing the prodding of a reporter to "trash talk" against Creed by laconically remarking, "He's great." In "Rocky", Creed essentially cleans out his division of serious challengers and
605055
Rocky (1987 video game)


Rocky is the second video game based on the popular series of "Rocky" movies, released for the Sega Master System in 1987. The player must train Rocky Balboa before each fight to improve his skills. Rocky possesses a straight punch, a hook, an uppercut, and body punch as well as various combos. The opponents, in order, are: Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang, and Ivan Drago. Fights are of 15 rounds duration, with an increasing level of difficulty depending on the opponent, and different strategies
1634636
Adrian Pennino


with Apollo's wife, Mary Anne. Adrian witnesses the match between Creed and Drago, with Drago beating Creed mightily, causing Creed to die on the spot. Witnessing Apollo's death, she also attends his funeral alongside her husband. Sometime later, Adrian is notified by the press of Rocky, announcing his plans to challenge Drago on Christmas in Russia. That night, she and Rocky argue about the risks, telling him that this is a match that he cannot win. Weeks after Rocky leaves with Paulie and Tony
1981736
Apollo Creed


ends as each boxer hits the other at the same time, symbolizing the equality of their greatness. The result was not revealed until the 2015 film "Creed", in which Rocky tells Apollo's son that Apollo won this fight. In 1985, Apollo (43 years old), comes out of a five-year retirement to fight mammoth Soviet Olympic boxer Ivan Drago, who has come to the United States on behalf of the Soviet Union to enter the world of professional boxing. Not wanting the Soviets to appear superior
605073
Paulie Pennino


Rocky III" as "like a crazy brother". Paulie introduced his sister, Adrian, to Rocky and generally encouraged their relationship. Paulie also invited Rocky to begin his unique training method of punching sides of beef at the rendering facility. Paulie distracted the ringside security guards so Adrian could embrace Rocky in the ring after his fight with Apollo Creed was over. Paulie visits Rocky in the hospital after his title match with Apollo Creed. After Rocky marries Adrian, he congratulates them. Later, he recommends Rocky for his former
14059392
Rocky V


D'Amato given in 1985, shortly after Mike Tyson's first professional bout. The image of Gunn's first professional fight, the pullback from the mural of Jesus over the boxing ring, mirrors the opening shot of the first "Rocky" movie. Adrian goes back to working at the pet shop she first worked at in the original "Rocky". The golden glove necklace featured so prominently in the film was first seen in "Rocky II", where it was worn by Apollo Creed, then again throughout "Rocky III
19865261
Rocky (film series)


Rocky is a series of American boxing sports drama films. The first film, "Rocky" (1976), and its five sequels centered on the boxing career of the eponymous fictional character, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). For the seventh and eighth, spin-off-sequels "Creed" (2015), and "Creed II" (2018), the series shifted towards Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of Rocky's deceased rival and friend Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) as the
9309532
Ivan Drago


Nielsen), are convinced that he can defeat any boxer. Drago enters professional heavyweight boxing in the beginning of the movie. Former champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), now 43 years old, comes out of retirement to challenge Drago to an exhibition match, promoted by Creed's former rival Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). Creed arrives to the ring wearing his signature Stars & Stripes boxing garb to "Living in America," sung by James Brown, dancing upon a huge stage that is lowered into the ring.
7127644
Apollo Creed


James "Bonecrusher" Smith, ranked Creed as the second-best boxer in the Rocky series. Apollo Creed first appeared in the 1976 Oscar-winning film "Rocky" as the charismatic, intelligent, and undefeated 33-year-old World Heavyweight Champion. A planned Bicentennial fight against number-one contender Mac Lee Green was scheduled for January 1, 1976, which Creed gladly hypes whenever someone places a microphone in front of him. However, Green hurts his left hand in training, and when none of the other top-
605057
Adrian Pennino


she manages to slip inside the ring when he pulls up the ropes. While Creed is announced the winner, she appears to Rocky, to which he asks where her hat was, only for her to express her love for him. In the second film, Adrian witnesses Rocky in the hospital after his recent match against Apollo Creed. At first, Apollo goads Rocky into a rematch, but Rocky, instead, retires from boxing, and undergoes surgery for retinal detachment. After his release from the hospital, Rocky proposes to
1981727
Rocky (film series)


, Paulie (Burt Young). But when the world heavyweight champion boxer Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) chooses Rocky at random as his opponent in a title fight, Rocky realizes he now has the chance to prove that he's not worthless. With Adrian's support and Mickey becoming his trainer and manager, Rocky fights for his self-respect. Soon after proving himself, even with a split decision loss to Apollo Creed, Rocky expects the good life to follow. He marries Adrian and begins spending the money he earned
9309536
Apollo Creed


at a club. While Rocky visits him in jail, Adonis angrily blames him for his father's death, while Rocky tries to calm him down and understand Apollo, who isn't there to defend himself. After getting his mind straight, Adonis makes a pact with Rocky that they would both fight their respective battles together. In Liverpool, Adonis receives a gift from Mary Anne; boxing trunks that heavily resembles his father's trunks, which he passed to Rocky, who then passed them to Tommy "The Machine" Gunn
605084
Creed (film)


"Rocky", a seventh film in the "Rocky" series, which Coogler would also co-write with Aaron Covington. Sylvester Stallone also worked on the screenplay for the seventh film. The film would focus on a man following in the footsteps of his late father, Apollo Creed, and getting a mentor in the now-retired Rocky Balboa. Michael B. Jordan was set for the role of Creed's son, Adonis Creed, and Stallone was set to reprise his character of Rocky. Original producers Irwin Winkler and
14456003
Apollo Creed


, including the film's theme song, "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor. Creed mentions that Rocky will owe him "a big favor" once he wins, which he does not specify at first. Rocky's training is geared toward making him quicker and more agile to counter the larger, stronger brawler. Creed teaches Rocky his (Creed's) own fighting style. Rocky has trouble concentrating during his training, suffering from guilt over Mickey's demise and self-doubt. Adrian helps Rocky recognize this as a
605070
Tony "Duke" Evers


on Christmas Day 1985. Upon Creed's death, Tony confides in Balboa that Creed was like his own son, and that a piece of him has died along with Apollo. Now Rocky's main trainer, Tony subsequently travels with Rocky, Paulie and Adrian to the Soviet Union and assists Rocky in his training, providing him with encouragement while also telling him that he now stands as the carrier of Apollo's legacy. Rocky would ultimately knock out Drago in the fifteenth round to claim victory, much to Tony's delight.
13145943
Adonis Creed


of a trainer, who originally wanted Rocky to coach his son. He moves in with Rocky to train for the upcoming match. Rocky takes Donnie—now known as "Hollywood"—to the Front Street Gym to prepare with the help of several of Rocky's longtime friends, where Adonis markedly improves his hand speed, stamina, and defense. Prior to the fight, Sporino's father learns that Adonis is in fact Apollo Creed's son. After Adonis wins the fight in a 2nd-round KO, Sporino's father alerts the
8825912
Rocky (film series)


Yo Adrian, we did it." Adonis "Donnie" Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), the illegitimate son of the late former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, tracks down Rocky Balboa at Adrian's and asks Rocky to become his trainer. Rocky is reluctant, but eventually agrees. When word gets out that Donnie is Creed's illegitimate son, the handlers of world light heavyweight champion "Pretty" Ricky Conlan, who is forced into retirement by an impending prison term, offer to make Donnie the latter's final challenger—
9309548
Rocky II


III" in 1982. On New Year's Day in 1976, world heavyweight boxing champion Apollo Creed has successfully defended his title in a split decision against challenger Rocky Balboa. He and Rocky are taken to the same hospital. Apollo challenges Rocky to a rematch, but Rocky declines and retires from professional boxing. His girlfriend, Adrian, supports his choice, and so do his doctors, who reveal that he will require surgery for a detached retina, a condition that could lead to permanent blindness. In a private moment,
17236532
Rocky II


Rocky goes to see a recuperating Apollo, and wants a truthful response to his question of whether Apollo gave his all in the fight; Creed confirms that he did. After Rocky is released from the hospital, he enjoys the benefits of his life's changes: Rocky's new fame attracts an agent who sees Rocky as a potential endorsement and sponsorship goldmine, and his sudden wealth encourages him to propose to Adrian. She happily accepts, and they marry in a small ceremony. Soon after, Adrian reveals that she is pregnant
17236533
List of Rocky characters


Evers Jr. is the son of Tony "Duke" Evers, the former trainer of Apollo Creed and Rocky. In "Creed", Little Duke urges Adonis Creed not to pursue a boxing career. In "Creed II", Adonis has Little Duke train him for his match with Viktor Drago after Rocky refuses to train him, but eventually assists Rocky in training Adonis in his rematch to Viktor Drago. Tony "Little Duke" Evers Jr. is portrayed by Wood Harris. Danny "Stuntman" Wheeler is a heavyweight boxer from
12292166
Apollo Creed


. He gives Rocky his signature "colors" (Creed's stars and stripes boxing trunks) to wear during the fight (and tells him to wash them afterwards). Re-energized with Creed shadow-boxing in his corner, Rocky regains his title with a three-round knockout of Lang. After his victory, Creed reveals his favor—a third fight with Rocky (not as a bloody fight between bitter rivals, but as a private sparring match between friends). Rocky happily accepts the challenge. The film
605072
Tony "Duke" Evers


they also have a long history and friendship dating back years. Prior to the final round of Creed's title defense against Balboa, Tony unsuccessfully urges Creed to let him stop the fight, and thus forfeit the championship, because he is worried for Apollo's health after it is revealed that he is bleeding internally as a result of Balboa's heavy body shots. In "Rocky II", a humiliated Creed, despite winning a split decision, pushes to schedule a rematch with Rocky. However, Tony pleads with Apollo to
13145936
Rocky


Chartoff and Winkler, along with Avildsen, insisted that she play the part. Boxer Joe Frazier has a cameo appearance in the film. The character of Apollo Creed was influenced by outspoken boxer Muhammad Ali who fought Frazier three times. During the 49th Academy Awards ceremony in 1977, Ali and Stallone staged a brief comic confrontation to show Ali was not offended by the film. Some of the plot's most memorable moments—Rocky's carcass-punching scenes and Rocky running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, as
1833064
Apollo Creed


, he began to hallucinate and saw images of Apollo's death at the hands of Drago, believing that he was about to suffer the same fate. However, a vision of Mickey telling him to get up gave Rocky the strength to win the street fight. In the sixth installment of the "Rocky" franchise, Rocky is seen paying tribute to Apollo by telling customers at his restaurant stories about his friendship and fights with him. In a deleted scene when Rocky wakes up, Rocky sees Paulie sleeping and Rocky sees a
605079
Punch-out (boxing slang)


depending on the trainer The term is outstandingly used in a quote the film "Rocky II" by Burt Young playing the character Paulie, who instructs Rocky to "Blow this punch-out!" in response to Apollo Creed's taunting at a press conference. The term was also used as the name for a popular arcade game titled "Punch-Out!!", and then later a spinoff of the game for the Nintendo Entertainment System titled "Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!". The series continued
15978917
Apollo Creed


safety. Adonis, to his mother's dismay, moves to Philadelphia to seek out Rocky. While meeting up at Adrian's, Rocky is surprised when Adonis mentions a third fight between him and Apollo that happened behind closed doors, presenting himself to be Apollo's son. Rocky compliments his father's boxing ability and reveals that Apollo won their third match. When the word got out that Adonis is Apollo's illegitimate son, the media heavily publicized the story of his infidelity, which catches the eye of the trainer for the
605082
Rocky


champion, Apollo Creed, announces plans to hold a title bout in Philadelphia during the upcoming United States Bicentennial. However, he is informed five weeks from the fight date that his scheduled opponent is unable to compete due to an injured hand. With all other potential replacements booked up or otherwise unavailable, Creed decides to spice things up by giving a local contender a chance to challenge him. Creed selects Rocky Balboa, a journeyman southpaw boxer who fights primarily in small gyms and works primarily as a collector for local loan shark.
1833053
Rocky


same day). Real-life boxer Ken Norton was initially sought for the role of Apollo Creed, but he pulled out and the role was ultimately given to Carl Weathers. Norton had had three fights with Muhammad Ali, upon whom Creed was loosely based. According to "The Rocky Scrapbook", Carrie Snodgress was originally chosen to play Adrian, but a money dispute forced the producers to look elsewhere. Susan Sarandon auditioned for the role but was deemed too pretty for the character. After Talia Shire's ensuing audition,
1833063
Apollo Creed


simple fear of losing again and convinces him that he can't let fear control his life and that he has to fight again, not to prove a point but to live without fear. Rocky agrees and begins to put his fear aside. Creed helps Rocky rediscover the fire inside, which he had lost in the time leading up to the Lang fight, that had won him the title. Creed calls this fire the "eye of the tiger". Before the match begins, Creed expresses his confidence that Rocky will win
605071
8 Mile (film)


should thrill Eminem fans." Peter Travers gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars. He said that "8 Mile" "is a real movie, not a fast-buck package to exploit the fan base of a rap nonentity" that "qualifies as a cinematic event by tapping into the roots of Eminem and the fury and feeling that inform his rap." He praised Hanson's directing and the performances, and compared the final battle with Papa Doc to the fight between Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed in "Rocky
13412020
Rocky


Meredith as Rocky's trainer Mickey Goldmill, and Carl Weathers as the reigning champion, Apollo Creed. The film, made on a budget of just over $1 million, was a sleeper hit; it earned $225 million in global box office receipts, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1976. The film was critically acclaimed and solidified Stallone's career as well as commenced his rise to prominence as a major movie star. Among other accolades, it went on to receive ten Academy Award nominations, winning three, including
1833050
Rocky (film series)


to an exhibition match. Apollo fights instead, and the beating he takes from Drago ends with Apollo dying in Rocky's arms in the ring as Drago coldly watches. To avenge Apollo, Rocky challenges Drago to a match, which is to be held on Christmas Day in Moscow. In a montage replete with symbolism, Rocky is shown training in a remote cabin in Siberia with the help of Creed's old trainer Duke, his brother-in-law Paulie, and eventually Adrian, doing exercises such as chopping wood,
9309541
Carl Weathers


" entitled "The Hero" in 1975. In 1976, he appeared as a loan shark in an episode of the crime-drama Starsky and Hutch. While auditioning for the role of Apollo Creed alongside Sylvester Stallone in "Rocky", Weathers criticized Stallone's acting, which led him to get the role. He reprised the role of Apollo Creed in the next three "Rocky" films in 1979, 1982, and 1985. Weathers is briefly seen as an Army MP in one of the three released versions of "
13703312
Apollo Creed


he vows to knock Balboa out rather than taking the safer route by winning on points. At the beginning of the 15th round, he tells Rocky, "You're going down", to which Rocky replies, "No way". After going toe-to-toe for much of the final round, Creed is knocked down by a left from Balboa, with Balboa falling down in exhaustion as well. Rocky gets up by the count of 9, but Creed is unable to pull himself up and is counted out
605065
List of Rocky characters


who appears in "Rocky II", where he conducts Rocky and Adrian's wedding and later on gives his blessings to Rocky before his rematch against Apollo Creed. He reappears in two scenes in "Rocky V", when Rocky asks for his blessing upon Tommy Gunn's training, and also after Rocky defeats Tommy in a later street fight. Father Carmine is portrayed by Paul J. Micale. Thunderlips is a heel professional wrestler who fights Rocky in a fundraising boxer vs. wrestler match in "Rocky III". Thunderlips is portrayed
12292163
Apollo Creed


, losing the match and the championship by knockout, his first professional loss. Apollo retires from boxing soon after. Even though he has lost, he gains his respect from the crowd back since it feels that he fought and lost in a fair fight. The fight also results in Creed finally acknowledging Balboa's ability as a fighter, rather than seeing him as a fluke. In the third film, a 39-year-old Apollo Creed appears at the first fight between James "Clubber" Lang, 23, and Rocky Balboa
605066
Apollo Creed


pride and strong self-confidence, which allows Rocky to get an edge over him in the ring by surprising Creed. Like Muhammad Ali, Apollo was an outside fighter, relying on his speed and power to get through fights. His jab-cross-hook combination were his mainstay, and, also like Ali, Creed's defense was heavily contingent upon his speed. Apollo used Ali's "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" philosophy, being able to slip and evade blows and frustrate his opponents.
605089
Santa Monica, California


exterior shots in Santa Monica is Buster Keaton's "Spite Marriage" (1929) which shows much of 2nd Street. The comedy "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1963) included several scenes shot in Santa Monica, including those along the California Incline, which led to the movie's treasure spot, "The Big W". The Sylvester Stallone film "Rocky III" (1982) shows Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed training to fight Clubber Lang by running on the Santa Monica Beach
8490667
Apollo Creed


ranked contenders, such as Joe Czak and Buddy Shaw, step up to face the champion, Creed responds with a promotion that will generate huge publicity. He will offer an unknown local fighter an opportunity to battle for the title in a match in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Upon reviewing the local boxers in Philadelphia, Creed is drawn to a club fighter named Rocky Balboa because Balboa is Italian and has a catchy nickname, "The Italian Stallion". Creed also explains his choice by saying: "Who discovered America? An Italian
605058
The distance (boxing)


" in which Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed fight 15 rounds for the World Heavyweight Championship. Rocky says, Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and Creed (Carl Weathers) nearly go the distance again in their rematch in 1979's "Rocky II", as do Rocky and Ivan Drago in their showdown in "Rocky IV". Balboa's final fight against Mason "The Line" Dixon in "Rocky Balboa" lasts the maximum of 10 rounds. Balboa's use of the term has also inspired its use in other works.
7464357
Rocky Balboa


Creed taking his "payment" for his training services: one last rematch, just the two of them, no spectators. In 1985, Apollo Creed agrees to have an exhibition match against Soviet World Amateur Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist-turned-professional fighter Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) in Las Vegas, with Rocky Balboa and Tony "Duke" Evers in his corner. Apollo, past his prime but in the best shape, again not taking his opponent seriously, takes a serious beating by Drago in the first round
20238458
Apollo Creed


like a bad habit" and tells Rocky when he leaves, "Come November, you're mine!" In a press interview during training, he also insists that Rocky "cannot last five minutes in the ring with a superior athlete like me!" Creed plows through sparring partners and trains harder than ever before, with the intention of punishing Balboa for the embarrassment eleven months earlier. Mickey trains Rocky to become faster by chasing and catching a chicken. Unlike their first fight, Creed dominates Balboa throughout the second fight
605063
Rocky (film series)


Rocky publicly. Rocky, after dealing with Mickey's heart attack before the fight, is overpowered by the stronger, hungrier Lang and is knocked out in the second round. Mickey passes away after the fight, and former rival Apollo Creed steps in, training Rocky to fight in Creed's old style (in his old Los Angeles gym) and to use more guile and skill. In the rematch, Rocky outboxes Lang, tiring the stronger fighter out and eventually knocking him out in the third round. After the fight,
9309539
Adrian Pennino


will always be there for him; win or lose. Motivated from this, Rocky goes on to regain his title from Lang. In the fourth film, Adrian and Rocky are visited by Apollo Creed, who has plans to have an exhibition match against a Russian Soviet Union boxer, Ivan Drago. After hearing his reasons, Adrian tries to discourage Creed, and tells him that she deeply cares about his well-being. Despite her suggestions, an exhibition match between the two materialize. Adrian attends the press conference, sitting
1981735
Rocky the Musical


in doing so this allows the boxing ring to enter the auditorium and sit in rows A-F, bringing the audience close to the final fight scene. "Rocky the Musical" received its world premiere on 18 November 2012, at the Operettenhaus, Hamburg. The production opened to positive reviews and title casting included Drew Sarich as Rocky Balboa, Wietske van Tongeren playing Adrian Pennino and Terence Archie playing Apollo Creed. Having been written in English, the show was translated into German for its world premiere. On 28 April 2013
7672659
Rocky II


ignores his trainer's pleas to stay back and attempts to beat Rocky by knockout. In the final round, Rocky switches back to his natural stance, and in dramatic fashion, unleashes a series of counter punches on Creed, turning the tide. Both men, exhausted, trade punches until they knock each other down. Apollo gets up on the ropes early while Rocky is on the canvas and has to make his way over. Rocky is able to will himself up on 9 while Apollo collapses from exhaustion, giving Rocky the
17236539
Creed (film)


Creed is a 2015 American boxing sports drama film directed by Ryan Coogler and written by Coogler and Aaron Covington. Both a spin-off and sequel in the "Rocky" film series, Michael B. Jordan stars as Adonis Johnson Creed, Apollo Creed's son, with Sylvester Stallone reprising the role of Rocky Balboa. It also features Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Tony Bellew and Graham McTavish. The film reunites Jordan with "Fruitvale Station" writer-director Coogler, as well as Wood Harris, with whom Jordan had worked
14455992
Creed (film)


very advanced age despite having suffered brain trauma during his career as a fighter. However, he eventually agrees. Donnie asks him about the "secret third fight" between him and Apollo just after Apollo helped Rocky regain the heavyweight title, and Rocky reveals that Apollo won. Donnie trains at the Front Street Gym, with several of Rocky's longtime friends as cornermen. He also finds a love interest in Bianca, an up-and-coming singer and songwriter. Donnie, now known as "Hollywood Donnie", defeats
14455997
Tony "Duke" Evers


Tony's advice and is subsequently KO'd by Balboa, thus dropping the championship in the process. With Creed subsequently retiring after losing the championship, Tony returns to his hometown of Los Angeles, where he continues working with various up-and-coming local fighters at the "TOUGH GYM". However, Tony returns to the scene in "Rocky III" when Apollo Creed takes over as Rocky's manager following the death of Rocky's longtime trainer Mickey Goldmill and after Rocky's title defeat to James "Clubber" Lang.
13145939
Rocky IV


's athleticism as a hallmark of Soviet superiority. Motivated by patriotism and an innate desire to prove himself, Apollo Creed challenges Drago to an exhibition bout. Rocky has reservations, but agrees to train Apollo despite his misgivings about the match. During a press conference regarding the match, hostility sparks between Apollo's and Drago's respective camps. The boxing exhibition takes place at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Apollo enters the ring in an over-the-top patriotic entrance with James Brown performing "Living in America"
15153221
Rocky Balboa


dream come true when the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, Apollo Creed, decides that he wants to give an unknown fighter a chance to fight for the title after his intended challenger, Mac Lee Green, broke his hand while training. Apollo was told that no other contender was available for a fight on New Years Day, which is only a month away in commemoration for the United States Bicentennial, it was inferred by Apollo, with the accompanying worldwide audience. Apollo chooses Rocky, because he likes Balboa's nickname, 'The
20238443
United States Bicentennial


a short movie—"Independence" (1976)—for the U.S. National Park Service which continues to screen at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia to the present day (2018). The movie "Rocky" cited the Bicentennial in several scenes, mostly during Apollo Creed's entering; Carl Weathers dressed first as George Washington then as Uncle Sam. A number of nations gave gifts to the US as a token of friendship. Among them were: Canada through the National Film Board of Canada produced the book "Between Friends/Entre Amis" which was
8449990
Apollo Creed


intensifies when it becomes clear that the prevailing public opinion is that Creed had been paid to intentionally carry Rocky for the 15-round distance instead of knocking him out early in the fight. Eager to change minds and ignoring the pleas of his staff, Creed challenges Balboa to a second fight on Thanksgiving Day, 1976. He uses various humiliation tactics to coax Balboa out of retirement. Rocky had married his girlfriend Adrian after getting out of the hospital after the first fight. Creed insists at the press conference that he would "drop him
605062
Rocky III


better-prepared Lang quickly recovers and takes charge, dominating Rocky and knocking him out with a haymaker left hook in the second round, winning the heavyweight championship. After the match, Rocky tells an exhausted Mickey that the match ended in a second round knockout without saying who the victor was. Mickey falsely believes Rocky won and then peacefully succumbs to his heart attack. Rocky, lapsing into severe depression, mourns over Mickey's death. Stopping by Mickey's closed gym, the forlorn Rocky encounters his former rival, Apollo Creed
19185829
Rocky IV


fight. Warner Wolf replaces Bill Baldwin, who died following filming for "Rocky III", as co-commentator. For the fight between Rocky and Drago, commentators Barry Tompkins and Al Bandiero portray themselves as USA Network broadcasters. Apollo Creed's wife Mary Anne (Sylvia Meals) made her second appearance in the series, the first being "Rocky II", although the character was mainly featured in "Rocky II". Stallone's future wife, Brigitte Nielsen, appeared as Drago's wife, Ludmilla. Paulie's
15153235
Rocky Balboa (film)


. Nahan was part of the ringside commentary team during all the bouts in the first three films and the Apollo Creed/Ivan Drago fight in Rocky IV. He was diagnosed with lymphoma during the "Rocky Balboa" filming, though, and died on December 26, 2007. Finally, Pedro Lovell, who portrayed Spider Rico in the original film, returns to the role in "Rocky Balboa" as a guest and later employee at Rocky's restaurant. A number of sports personalities portray themselves. Jim Lampley, Larry Merchant
5843753
Adonis Creed


pick a fighter's life when you don't need to?" He immediately notes that Adonis is well-educated and comes from a wealthy background, which contrasts Rocky's own upbringing. However, Rocky sees in Adonis the drive and determination in himself and Apollo when he was younger, and concedes in training him. After Rocky is diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphona, it is Adonis who motivates him and teaches him to fight again: "Adonis is there to push [Rocky] the same way Rocky pushes him in
8825933
Adrian Pennino


tirade, and offers her to stay at his apartment. Before Rocky's upcoming match against Apollo Creed, Adrian decides to stay in Rocky's locker room. As the rounds go by, she eventually comes out during the 14th round. As she witnesses Rocky get knocked down by Apollo, she briefly closes her eyes in silence. At the end of the match, Rocky calls out for her and Adrian rushes toward the ring, losing her hat along the way. As Paulie is denied entrance into the ring by security,
1981726
Tony "Duke" Evers


. Creed goes on to dominate the majority of the fight, although Tony remains wary of Rocky's punching power and determination. As a result, Tony advises Creed to fight defensively in the final round so as to win the bout on points and thus avoid a potential knockout defeat. During the 15th and final round, Tony frantically screams from Creed's corner for the champ to "Just stick and move! Stick and move! Stay away from him!" as Rocky switches to a southpaw stance. Nevertheless, Apollo ignores
13145938
Apollo Creed


, thwarting Rocky's strategy of fighting right-handed. Despite this, he is unable to make good on his promise of an early knockout victory, as Rocky absorbs his punches. By the final round, Creed is well ahead on points; however, he also endures a substantial beating in later rounds, when it becomes apparent he cannot knock Balboa out, and Balboa begins landing his own punches on the tiring Creed. Not wanting a repeat of the first fight (and ignoring the pleas of his trainers),
605064
Rocky IV


an entrance into professional boxing with their best athlete Ivan Drago, who initially wants to take on World champion Rocky Balboa. Rocky's best friend Apollo Creed decides to fight him instead but is fatally beaten in the ring. Enraged, Rocky decides to fight Drago in the Soviet Union to avenge the death of his friend and defend the honor of his country. Critical reception was mixed, but the film was a huge success at the box office, earning $300 million. This film marked Carl Weathers' final appearance in the
15153219
Apollo Creed


after seeing a vision of his father in his prime, which baffles Conlan and the audience. Before the final round, Rocky is adamant on stopping the fight to save Adonis from the long term effects of his injuries, a decision he contemplated 30 years after Apollo's death. However, Adonis wants to continue to fight to prove that he is not "a mistake". After the revelation, Rocky tells Adonis that, though he's never had the chance to thank Apollo for stepping in when Mickey died, it does
605086
Rocky IV


trainers and doctors monitoring his every movement. Rocky, on the other hand, lifts and throws heavy logs, chops down trees, pulls an overloaded snow sleigh with Paulie atop, jogs through heavy snow under treacherous icy conditions, and climbs the largest icy mountain. Adrian arrives unexpectedly to give Rocky her support after initially refusing to travel to the Soviet Union, because of her worry that Rocky would be killed like Apollo. Before the match, Drago is introduced with an elaborate patriotic ceremony, inspired by Apollo Creed's intro.
15153225
Rocky Balboa (film)


in life, "it ain't about how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can "get" hit, and keep moving forward", and that blaming others won't help him. The next day, father and son meet over Adrian's grave and reconcile; Robert has quit his job to be at Rocky's side. Rocky sets straight to training with Apollo Creed's old trainer, Duke, who quickly surmises that the slow and arthritic Rocky can only compete by building his strength and punching power
5843746
Rocky Balboa


re-installed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art at the very bottom of the steps. Three years later, Rocky is visited at Adrian's by Adonis "Donnie" Johnson Creed (Michael B. Jordan) – Apollo's illegitimate son, who grew up serving time in a juvenile detention center in Los Angeles. After Donnie grew up, he worked at a securities firm, but eventually resigned to be a boxer, and moved to Philadelphia. Donnie meets Rocky at Adrian's restaurant, and requests him to train him, but
20238489
Apollo Creed


was the first time anyone had ever taken the champion the full 15 rounds. Both fighters are beaten, bloodied, and bruised by the end of the bout—Balboa with severe eye damage and Creed with internal bleeding. Creed gains a controversial split decision victory, and neither fighter wants a rematch, at least at that moment. In the second film, Creed demands a rematch in the hospital ER, and challenges Rocky to finish the fight from the climax of the first film. Creed's desire for a rematch with Balboa
605061
Apollo Creed


, 35, as a guest moderator. This is a match at which Lang defeats Rocky by KO in the second round. Before the match, the former champion Creed steps into the ring to greet the fighters. When he steps up to Lang, the latter slaps away Creed's hand and mockingly insists that he "don't want no has-been in my corner". He further says, "You want to jump, Creed? Jump." When Creed walks away, stunned at this rude display from the
605067
Creed (film)


that ensues and Apollo and Rocky's first fight forty years earlier. First, before entering the ring, Donnie receives a present from Mary Anne — new American flag trunks similar to the ones Apollo and later Rocky wore. Additionally, to the surprise of nearly everyone, Donnie gives Conlan all he can handle. Conlan knocks Donnie down, but Donnie recovers to knock Conlan down for the first time in his career. Donnie goes the distance, but Conlan wins on a split decision (just as Apollo retained his title by split
14456000
Rocky


broadcaster Bill Baldwin; and Lloyd Kaufman, founder of the independent film company Troma, appearing as a drunk. Diana Lewis, then a news anchor in Los Angeles and later in Detroit, has a small scene as a TV news reporter. Tony Burton appeared as Apollo Creed's trainer, Tony "Duke" Evers, a role he would reprise in the entire "Rocky" series, though he is not given an official name until "Rocky II". Though uncredited, Michael Dorn, who would later gain fame as
1833066
Apollo Creed


very political and had very little to say on social issues. In "Rocky I", a reporter asked him if it mattered to him that he was fighting a white man on the most celebrated day in the U.S.'s history, to which Apollo replied, "About as much as it matters to him that he's fighting a black man on the most celebrated day in our country's history." Like Ali, Creed was susceptible to taking a lot of damage during fights because of the level at which he held
605091
Creed II


to win the WBC World Heavyweight Championship. Now a worldwide star, Adonis proposes to his girlfriend, Bianca Taylor, who agrees to marry him. When Bianca suggests starting a new life together in Los Angeles, Adonis is reluctant to leave his life in Philadelphia behind. Meanwhile, Ivan Drago, a former Soviet boxer who killed Adonis' father, Apollo Creed, in the ring thirty-three years earlier, sees an opportunity to regain the glory that was taken from him as a result of his loss to Rocky Balboa in
15341804
Fred Dryer


shared the College-Division title. Dryer was voted the outstanding defensive lineman on the team and as such was the recipient of the Byron H. Chase Memorial Trophy. One of Dryer's teammates was Carl Weathers, who played Apollo Creed in the first four films of the "Rocky" series. In 1967, the Aztecs allowed 12.9 points a game on defense, which is still ninth in SDSU history. In 1967 and 1968 the Aztec run defense allowed just 80.1 and 100.1 yards per game, still fourth and fifth, respectively
1815177
Predator (film)


Apollo Creed in the "Rocky" films, was their first choice to play Dillon while professional wrestler and former Navy UDT Jesse Ventura was hired for his formidable physique as Blain, co-starring with Schwarzenegger the same year in "The Running Man". Also cast were Sonny Landham and Richard Chaves and Bill Duke, who co-starred alongside Schwarzenegger in "Commando". Jean-Claude Van Damme was originally cast as the Predator with the intent that the physical action star would use his martial arts skills to make the
7613358
Rocky Balboa (video game)


". There are 27 different boxer selections possible. There are separate versions of Rocky which vary in age, weight (depending on the film) and clothes (black/gold, white/red variations). There are alternative versions of Apollo Creed and Tommy Gunn has two different selectable outfits. The player can choose from 18 different arenas to fight in, including many of the film franchise's major boxing arenas, such as the Philadelphia arena and Las Vegas. Fast Lane is designed for quick-play, where a
18229736
Rocky


losses were covered by "Rocky" success). The film's production budget ended up being $1,075,000, with a further $100,000 spent on producers' fees and $4.2 million on advertising costs. Although Chartoff and Winkler were enthusiastic about the script and the idea of Stallone playing the lead character, they were hesitant about having an unknown headline the film. The producers also had trouble casting other major characters in the story, with Apollo Creed and Adrian cast unusually late by production standards (both were ultimately cast on the
1833062
Tony "Duke" Evers


Rocky's self-esteem, which is left shattered after his knockout by Lang and the revelation that Mickey had handpicked some of his prior opponents in an effort to prevent him from serious injury, and to keep him winning. As a result, Apollo and Tony essentially take in Rocky as one of their own family after the loss of Mickey, who had served as Rocky's father figure during the course of his career. By the end of the movie, Rocky is a rejuvenated boxer, and Apollo and Tony celebrate by
13145941
Adonis Creed


boxing skills, "Michael can throw down man. If you sleep on him in the street he might put you to sleep." Ryan Coogler was inspired to make "Creed" from his experiences with his own father: "He used to play "Rocky" before I had football games to pump me up, and he would get really emotional watching the movies. He used to watch "Rocky II" with his mom while she was sick and dying of cancer. She died when he was 18 years old.
8825927
Paulie Pennino


not like any of the black boxers in the gym where Apollo Creed once trained. He also says in Rocky Balboa that "Italian food cooked up by a bunch of Mexicans ain't so special." In response to challenges to fight, his catchphrase is "I don't sweat you", after which he is usually quickly defeated (by Hulk Hogan in "Rocky III", by Rocky himself also in "Rocky III", and by Tommy Gunn in "Rocky V"). Rocky describes Paulie in "
14059391
Rocky Legends


Rocky Legends is a fighting video game, the sequel to "Rocky". It was released in 2004, by Venom Games. The game is based on the "Rocky" franchise. The events of the game take place before the films and in between. In the game the player can take control of Rocky Balboa, Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang or Ivan Drago and witness their early careers before their famous encounters. "Rocky Legends" has six different gameplay modes to choose from including Career, Exhibition, Tournament, Survival
14258915
Adonis Creed


woman with the surname Johnson who died sometime in the 1990s. Adonis spends the first several years of his life in foster care and juvenile hall, until he is subsequently adopted by Mary Anne Creed, Apollo's widow. He lives a life of luxury and maintains a stable white collar job, only to abandon it to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a professional boxer. He goes to Philadelphia and convinces his late father's friend Rocky Balboa to train and mentor him. In 1998, Adonis "Donnie" Johnson is spending
8825907