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Cleavon Little

Acting

Born June 1, 1939 · Chickasha, Oklahoma, USA

Died October 22, 1992

Also known as Cleavon Jake Little

Biography

Cleavon Jake Little was an American actor. He began his career in the late 1960s on the stage. In 1970, he starred in the Broadway production of Purlie, for which he earned both a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award. His first leading television role was that of the irreverent Dr. Jerry Noland on the ABC sitcom Temperatures Rising (1972–1974). While starring in the sitcom, Little appeared in what has become his signature role, portraying Sheriff Bart in the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy film Blazing Saddles.

Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA

Awards & recognition

  • Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series · 1989
  • NAACP Image Award — Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series · 1976
  • Tony Award — Best Actor in a Musical · 1970
  • star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series · 1989 · nominated
Show all 7 awards →
  • NAACP Image Award — Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series · 1976 · nominated
  • BAFTA Award — Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles · 1975 · nominated

Filmography29 titles

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

2013as Self (archive footage)

Tales from the Crypt

1989as Pack Brightman (segment "This'll Kill Ya")

All in the Family

1971as Coke

MacGyver

1985as Frank Colton

ALF

1986as George Foley

The Rockford Files

1974as Billy Merrihew

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962as Self

Lincoln

1988as Frederick Douglass

Blazing Saddles

1974as Bart

The Waltons

1972

A House Divided: Denmark Vesey's Rebellion

1982as Rolla

The Sky Is Gray

1980as Monsieur Bayonne

Police Story

1973

Tanner '88

1988as Rev. Billy Crier

The Rookies

1972

227

1985

Simon & Simon

1981

What's So Bad About Feeling Good?

1968as Phil

Greased Lightning

1977as Peewee

The Love Boat

1977as Andrew Hopkins

Cotton Comes to Harlem

1970as Lo Boy

Separate but Equal

1991as Robert L. 'Bob' Carter

Fletch Lives

1989as Calculus Entropy

Once Bitten

1985as Sebastian

Scavenger Hunt

1979as Jackson

The Salamander

1981as Major Carl Malinowski, USMC

Surf 2

1984as Daddy O

Double Exposure

1982as Police Chief

Blaze of Glory: Mel Brooks' Wild, Wild West

2014as Self (archive footage)