A few rounds with Carl Weathers

C'mon, let's hear it: Who's your favorite '80s action star? Stallone? Schwarzenegger? That whip-crackin' hunk Harrison Ford? Macho choices all.

But there's only one haymaker-throwin', pistol-packin' man to get the boys high-fivin' and belly-bumpin'. And this Master of Disaster co-starred with each of the aforementioned Hollywood bold-facers -- and came out looking even tougher.

Ladies and gentlemen: Mr. Carl Weathers!

The 61-year-old actor stars in the new Fox sitcom "Brothers." The show features fellow gridiron great Michael Strahan.

Q So, Carl Weathers, why are football players better actors than other athletes?

A I think there's something about the world of football and this form of entertainment. Football provides the kind of world that better suits what guys do in front of the camera, maybe much more so than other sports do.

Q It's OK to say football players are just smarter.

Q When you walk down the street, what do fans shout? It has to be "Apollo" -- from "Rocky."

A It depends on where I am and the age group. If you're anywhere from 16 to a 20-something, it's either "Chubbs" or "Arrested Development." If it's a family group, it's mostly "Rocky." If it's a geek who loves action movies, of course it's going to be "Predator."

Q It's hard to recognize you these days. Your lip is bare where your 'stache used to be.

A Used to be! I know! All I can say is, it's another era, another time. Carl Weathers had to reinvent himself yet again. So the mustache went the way of everything else.

Q No, no, no. There are three people who should always have a 'stache: Tom Selleck, John Oates, Carl Weathers.

Q What was your fave moment during the "Rocky" series?

A In "Rocky IV," being on the same stage with James Brown. Growing up and having an icon like James Brown, and then to wind up onstage with him -- that was a special moment.

Q In all those boxing scenes, did you ever pop Stallone?

A It happened that he popped me a few times, too!

Q Weathers vs. Stallone? Please. Weathers every time.