On January 14, 1948, Carl Weathers was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Carl's father worked as a day laborer. When Weathers was in the eighth grade, he won an athletic scholarship to attend St. Augustine High institution, a private institution, where he competed in football, soccer, wrestling, boxing, judo, and gymnastics.
Carl attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Southern California after the family relocated there. In 1966, he enrolled at Long Beach City College and later transferred to San Diego State University. In 1974, Carl earned his bachelor's degree in drama.