Cleavon Little

Versatile, charismatic African-American actor 'Cleavon Little' (qv) was born on June 1, 1939, in Oklahoma but grew up in California and attended San Diego College. He earned a scholarship to Juilliard and moved to New York, then trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Art and was soon appearing off-Broadway. Classically trained ("Hamlet" "A Midsummer Night's Dream"), he won the Tony award for a less weighty musical, "Purlie", which took him west. A few film roles came his way with _What's So Bad About Feeling Good? (1968)_ (qv), _John and Mary (1969)_ (qv), _Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970)_ (qv), and the cult film _Vanishing Point (1971)_ (qv) but it was the 1972 sitcom _The New Temperatures Rising Show (1972)_ (qv) that finally got him some leverage in Hollywood. The by-now popular actor caught the eye of film producers. With his sly charm and appeal, he was a natural for comedy and hit the apex of his career after winning a co-starring role opposite 'Gene Wilder' (qv) in the 'Mel Brooks' (qv) western spoof _Blazing Saddles (1974)_ (qv). He never matched that success but did continue with important stage roles ("I'm Not Rappaport") and other TV series work (_Bagdad Cafe (1990)_ (qv)). A hard-working, heavily driven man, Little was plagued by ulcers and stomach disorders for much of his life. He died at age 53 of colon cancer in 1992.::Gary Brumburgh / [email protected]