Cleavon Little died on this day 31 years ago, aged 53.
- Little started off his acting career in local plays (notably a 1962 San Diego adaptation of A Raisin in the Sun) and made his professional debut in 1967, as a witch in MacBird!
- By 1969, Little was on Broadway, where he became known for the titular role in Purlie- he won a Tony in 1970 for this role.
- Little made many guest appearances on TV, which included roles in shows including (but not limited to): All in the Family, The Waltons, MacGyver, Fantasy Island, and the ALF Christmas episode.
- Little, however, is best remembered in the leading role of Sheriff Bart in Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles:
- Little died from colon cancer, with his last role being in a episode of Tales from the Crypt that aired in June of 1992.