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.' "
No more Mongo.
He was just slightly before my time, but he is a Detroit Lion!!
/johnny
What a Great man...he will be missed.
What a Great man...he will be missed.
Alex Karras plays Sully, who, if I'm not wrong, dies from a gun shot by the extraordinarily beatiful Rachel Ward.
One of the best "chase" scenes ever involving Woods and Bridges.
Don't forget Kid creole and his coconuts.
Beach Volleyball before it was hip!
RIP Mr. Karras
Mr. Karras was probably one of the original teddy bear NFL players. He was a great player and an acceptable actor.
He was smart, kind, funny and generous and gave us all lots of fond memories.
Thank you, Alex. And, may God comfort your loved ones with the knowledge that you were a positive influence on so many people.
Yup, Alex Karras was great in “Against All Odds.” Flawed only in the sense that it was implausible. But exciting and well-done given the ridiculous plot.
Even though I as a fanatic Bears fan, I thought Karras was great (when he wasn’t on top of Bill Wade). He definitely was a man who followed his own star, a free spirit (like Hornug) and man of many talents.
And GREAT in the Garner/Andrews musical “Victor/Victoria” as Jim Garner’s gay body guard.
He uttered one of the greatest movie lines in all of history, “Mongo only pawn in the game of life.”
Or Webster’s adoptive dad.
It stinks when the good ones go, but he’s in a better place now.
It said he had dementia. I wonder if he sustained lots of concussions during his NFL career...
A Hawkeye great from the Forest Evashevski Rose Bowl years. Karras was winner of the Outland Trophy and Heisman Trophy runner up.
He came from the days when college football played “single platoon,” but there was never any doubt where he liked to play.
They just called it “having your bell rung” back then. Charming, eh?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.