Cleavon Little (June 1, 1939 - October 22, 1992) was an American actor, best known for his lead role in the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy Blazing Saddles.
He was born in Oklahoma, grew up in California, and trained as actor in New York, at Juilliard and the American Academy of Dramatic Art.
He starred in the stage musical Purlie in 1970, winning a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical.
He has a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
