Alex Karras, who followed up a successful NFL career with a television sitcom and several feature films, has died at his home in Los Angeles. He was 77.
The athlete turned actor suffered several serious health problems in his later years, including dementia, heart disease, and cancer. He died from complications of kidney failure while receiving hospice care at his residence.
A Heisman Trophy runner-up, Karras was drafted in the first round by the Detroit Lions in 1958 and became one of the dominant defensive tackles in the NFL, playing twelve seasons with the same team before sustaining a career ending knee injury in 1970.
He began acting on a full-time basis, appearing in the memorable role of strong but slow-witted thug Mongo in ‘Blazing Saddles’ circa 1974.
In the 80’s, Karras played George Papadapolis on the TV sitcom ‘Webster,’ featuring child star Emmanuel Lewis. The role of his sitcom wife was played by his real life spouse, Canadian actress Susan Clark.
Besides his second wife Clark, Karras is survived by six children, five of whom were born during his first marriage to college sweetheart Joan Jurgensen.
Check out a humorous ‘Blazing Saddles’ video clip below:
Photos: Video Screen Grabs