Posted on 10/10/2012 10:49:04 AM PDT by iowamark
Alex Karras, who was a star defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions in the 1960s and went on to gain other fame for his acting in Hollywood's Blazing Saddles and TV's Webster, has died, according to multiple reports.
He was 77 and had been suffering from kidney failure, as People magazine earlier reported. His death has been reported to The Associated Press by Karras' attorney, Craig Mitnick, and to USA Today by the Lions.
The Associated Press reminds us that:
"Karras became a bit of a celebrity through George Plimpton's behind-the-scenes book about what it was like to be an NFL player in the Motor City, Paper Lion: Confessions of a Second-string Quarterback. That led to Karras playing himself in the movie adaption, and it opened doors for him such as being an analyst alongside Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford on Monday Night Football.
"Karras had a well-known appearance as Mongo in the 1974 movie Blazing Saddles and was a star in the 1980s sitcom Webster. He took on another role this year as lead plaintiff in a complaint against the NFL by ex-players who claim the league didn't do enough to protect them from head injuries."
IMDB.com has cataloged Karras' acting career here. For those of us who were young and enjoyed director Mel Brooks' movies back in the '70s, his performance as Mongo in Blazing Saddles is some classic comedy. If you haven't seen his most famous moment from that movie in a while, there's a clip of it here (and, no, we're not endorsing the punching of horses).
Karras missed the 1963 NFL season. He and the Green Bay Packers' Paul Hornung "were suspended by [Commissioner] Pete Rozelle for betting on NFL games and associating with gamblers," as ESPN writes.
Update at 11:35 a.m. ET. Daughter Confirms The News:
"Tom McInerney, owner of McInerney's Woodhaven Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and a friend of Karras since the 1950s, said he heard the news [of the death] from Karras' daughter, Katie," the Detroit News reports.
Update at 11:05 a.m. ET. A "Bull-Necked Defensive Tackle" Who Was "Ahead Of His Time As A Multimedia Personality."
The Detroit Free Press begins its appreciation of Karras with this:
"Alex Karras, a bull-necked defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions who chased NFL quarterbacks on muddy fields more than 50 years ago but was ahead of his time as a multimedia personality, died today in Los Angeles. He was 77 and had been suffering from dementia and kidney failure.
"Karras never slowed down after a 13-year NFL career — he was suspended one season for gambling — turning to an acting career he'd built in previous off-seasons. He appeared in movies, TV shows and commercials, and spent three years (1974-76) in the Monday Night Football booth, once declaring, 'I'm the bridge between Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford. I'm there to have a little fun.' "
I never watched that show but it had a long run.
Just a cute way for saying brain damage. Charming indeed.
Butkus, Nitschke, and Karras...the best 3 middle linebackers in the history of the game.
Loud mouth.
Denverites still WAITING for him to walk back to Detroit ! ! Wings don’t count in this game.
Guess he could never admit his mouth overruled his ability.
That was when Hall of Famer Floyd Little was rookie member on first AFL team to defeat an NFL team and changed the game forever.
God bless you, Mr. Karras. I am praying for your family.
Hmmmm... Karras wasn't a linebacker. He was a Defensive Tackle.
Now you could have added Joe Schmitt, who played MLB for the Lions during Karras' career, to your list.
Anyway... RIP to Alex.
... except Mr. Karras was a tackle, not a linebacker. The guy right behind him, the middle linebacker, was another great, Joe Schmidt.
My bad, was a long time ago. The statement still stands for the other two though.
“No, no. Don’t shoot him. If you shoot him you’ll only make him mad.”
R.I.P. Alex Karras
I also liked “Awwwwwww, Mongo straight!”
RIP Mongo.
Several have passed that played in Blazing Saddles. Mongo, Sherrif Bart {Cleavon Little}, Slim Pickens, Headly Lammar {Harvey Korman}, Gabby {Jack Starrett} the prospector, Dom DeLuise BTW Carol Arthur his wife played Harriet Johnson the school teacher {is still living}, Anne Bancroft not credited but in the church congergation, and I’m sure I miised a few. Rest in Peace Alex.
He was super as the bodyguard who came out of the closet in “Victor/Victoria” - had some very funny and touching scenes - very sad......
You left out Madeleine Kahn, who was only 54.
His wife, Susan Clark, is a big big BIG-time Lib. Don’t know if Karras was as well, or if she just liked to drop his name when speaking for Liberal causes.
In any case, RIP, Alex.
Gene Wilder is still around. I always liked him. Especially in Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.
Cherry Forever, is a lib?
Linebackers? How about Mike Curtis.
I really loved her. Unique talent, so funny, beautiful gal. They don’t make comediennes like that anymore, none...zero...not at all.
Yes, that is too bad! I remember his being on Johnny Carson’s show. He had a very dry sense of humor, which I really enjoyed.
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