he should have been a bigger 1980s star

unfortunately, it didn't happen.. he's an extremely underrated actor.. he could have easily done the films that Stallone, Norris, Willis or Schwarzenegger did on their own.. "Action Jackson" actually made a profit, especially internationally and on video, but for whatever reasons, was pegged domestically as a "flop"..
Weathers was an unironic black action hero; somebody that looked physically impressive, as opposed to the lanky regular guy of Eddie Murphy.. Weathers didn't have to depend on standup comedian/improv schtick for half the dialogue.. It just seemed like the studios were only comfortable with a black male lead if they doubled up as the funny guy.. Heck, in Murphy's early films his characters scarcely got any love-action..