Gina Carano pays tribute to Carl Weathers, says he encouraged her after Disney fired her from THE MANDALORIAN

Last week we learned about that legendary actor Carl Weathers he was dead, and of all the tributes we saw, Gina Carano wrote a long and warm tribute to her Mandalorian co-star. In her post, she talked about the kind of man Weathers was and how, after Disney fired her from the series, she called her to support her and offer encouragement.

Carano played the role of bounty hunter Cara Dune for two seasons The Mandalorian, while Weathers played the High Magistrate of Nevarro, Greef Karga. Weathers also directed nine episodes of The Mandalorian. She was fired after making controversial social media posts comparing the divided United States to Nazi Germany.

Here’s what he said in his post:

Hearing the news today of Carl Weathers’ passing is shocking, I will struggle to read these words…

I couldn’t wait to give Carl the biggest hug at one of these fan shows that I heard we were both going to be at this year. I couldn’t wait for that reunion.

Carl called me right after I got fired. I wasn’t in an emotional state where I could answer the phone because of how upset I was, but we ended up talking later. He was kind 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 a hopeless scenario, he showed me that he cared. That’s who he was.

I formed a very close bond with him during Mando seasons 1 and 2. Jon Favreau felt that he would be a good mentor for me because we shared the athlete-turned-actor bond, so Jon asked him to direct my first episode in the second season of Mando. I think if we had gotten to Rangers of the New Republic, Carl would have directed me a lot more. Jon F was right, we were perfect.

Carl was a mentor to me on set, he would put both arms on my shoulders and look me directly in the eyes to calm my spirit. He had a wonderful perspective in telling a story that can only emerge through his own experience and wisdom that he shared with me to help me shine. I love those moments.

I loved 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 it, then his thunderous laughter came out. I can hear her laugh clearly now. His laugh that I will miss dearly.

His booming voice echoed across the stage and you knew this is truly a movie star.

He obviously shined on the screen, but boy, did he light up so passionately in the director’s chair.

I will miss my friend and mentor and that mischievous little sparkle in his eyes. He was one of the greats and a true revolutionary. I am flooded with 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 #Bepeace would say my friend Be peace.

It’s simply another wonderful story of the kind of person Weathers was, showing that he was willing to be there for the people he loved and stand by them when others didn’t.