Last week, we learned that legendary actor Carl Weathers had passed away, and among all the tributes we’ve seen, Gina Carano wrote a warm and lengthy tribute to her Mandalorian co-star. In her post, she talked about the kind of man that Weathers was, and how after Disney fired her from the series, he called her to support her and offer her encouragement.
Carano played bounty hunter Cara Dune for two seasons on The Mandalorian, while Weathers portrayed High Magistrate of Nevarro, Greef Karga. Weathers also directed nine episodes of The Mandalorian. She was fired in the wake of making controversial posts on social media when comparing a divided U.S. to Nazi Germany.
Here’s what she said in her post:
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My condolences to his family and loved ones. He was a great man. Rest in peace my dear friend. As he would say #Bepeace my friend Be peace.
It’s just another wonderful story of the kind of person that Weathers was, proving that he was willing to be there for the people he loved and stand by them when others wouldn’t.
