Cleavon Little

Cleavon Little was an American television, film and stage actor. He was born on June 1, 1939 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. As a child he grew up in California and attended college in San Diego. He was awarded a scholarship to Juilliard but only attended for a short period of time. He eventually left Juilliard so he could study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

He had minor guest starring roles on numerous hit television shows and a few roles on off Broadway productions. He won a Tony Award for his role in the musical Purlie before his big break in Mel Brook's Blazing Saddles. Richard Pryor, who helped to write the film, was originally intended to play opposite Gene Wilder in the role of Sheriff Bart. Ultimately Mel Brooks felt that Little was a much better choice for the part as Pryor had a reputation for being quite racy.

After Blazing Saddles Little went on have a successful film career as a supporting actor. He stared in such films as Greased Lightning with Richard Pryor and the teenage vampire film Once Bitten with Jim Carrey. Throughout his career Little continued to guest star on prominent television shows such as Fantasy Island, Dear John, Alf and theater productions. He died on October 22, 1992 in Sherman Oaks, California from prostate cancer. He was cremated on October 28, 1992 and his ashes were spread in the New York Harbor.

Cleavon Little was an American television, film and stage actor. He was born on June 1, 1939 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. As a child he grew up in California and attended college in San Diego. He was awarded a scholarship to Juilliard but only attended for a short period of time. He eventually left Juilliard so he could study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

</small> He had minor guest starring roles on numerous hit television shows and a few roles on off Broadway productions. He won a Tony Award for his role in the musical Purlie before his big break in Mel Brook's Blazing Saddles. Richard Pryor, who helped to write the film, was originally intended to play opposite Gene Wilder in the role of Sheriff Bart. Ultimately Mel Brooks felt that Little was a much better choice for the part as Pryor had a reputation for being quite racy.

After Blazing Saddles Little went on have a successful film career as a supporting actor. He stared in such films as Greased Lightning with Richard Pryor and the teenage vampire film Once Bitten with Jim Carrey. Throughout his career Little continued to guest star on prominent television shows such as Fantasy Island, Dear John, Alf and theater productions. He died on October 22, 1992 in Sherman Oaks, California from prostate cancer. He was cremated on October 28, 1992 and his ashes were spread in the New York Harbor.

1. Born: June 1, 1939

2. Birthplace: Chickasha, Oklahoma

3. Middle Name: Jake

4. Schooling: American Academy of Dramatic Art and Juilliard

5. Won Tony Award in 1970 for Purlie

6. Beat Richard Pryor for Sheriff Bart role, Blazing Saddles

7. Left handed

8. Died: October 22, 1992

9. Cremated October 28, 1992

10. </note>

• Note: The IMDb links in this timeline have pop-ups.

• 1939: Born June 1 in Chickasha, Oklahoma

• 1974: Blazing Saddles - IMDb Listing | Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

• 1977: Greased Lightening - IMDb Listing | Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

• 1978: FM - IMDb Listing

• 1979: Scavenger Hunt - IMDb Listing | Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

• 1981: High Risk - IMDb Listing | Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

• 1983: Double Exposure - IMDb Listing | Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

• 1985: Once Bitten - IMDb Listing | Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

• 1989: Fletch Lives - IMDb Listing | Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

• 1992: Death October 22 in Sherman Oaks, California