Prominent actor Carl Weathers, known for his memorable roles in iconic movies like Rocky and Predator, passed away at the age of 76 earlier this month. His family has now announced that he died of "atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease," according to the death certificate obtained by The Blast.

Weathers, who had been struggling with heart disease for several years, was residing in his home in Venice, California, when he peacefully passed away at 12:18 a.m. local time. The document also revealed that investigators declared his manner of death as "natural." It was his son, Matthew Weathers, who informed the authorities about his father's demise.

Following the actor's cremation, his family will be taking home his ashes, as reported by The Blast. The family shared the news of Weathers' death in a heartfelt statement, describing him as an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life, leaving an indelible mark on the world through his contributions to film, television, the arts, and sports.

Weathers began his career as a professional football player in the NFL in the early 1970s before transitioning to the silver screen, where he amassed more than four decades of success. His notable roles include portraying Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise alongside Sylvester Stallone and starring opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1987 film Predator.

In recent years, he garnered acclaim for his portrayal of Greef Karga in the Star Wars series, The Mandalorian, which earned him an Emmy Award nomination in 2021. Weathers also lent his voice to the character in Toy Story 4 and had recurring roles in all three of Dick Wolf's NBC Chicago series.

The news of Weathers' passing has brought tributes flooding in from both fans and fellow celebrities. Stallone, Weathers' co-star in the Rocky franchise, paid homage to the late actor on Instagram, expressing how meeting Weathers had positively impacted his life. Similarly, Adam Sandler, who worked with Weathers in Happy Gilmore, remembered him as a great man, father, actor, and athlete.

Carl Weathers' death has left a void in the entertainment industry, but his immeasurable contributions and lasting legacy as an actor and human being will forever be remembered.