Cleavon Little facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cleavon Little
Little and Jayne Meadows on Temperatures Rising (1972)
Born	Cleavon Jake Little (1939-06-01)June 1, 1939 Chickasha, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died	October 22, 1992(1992-10-22) (aged 53) Sherman Oaks, California, U.S.
Education	San Diego City College San Diego State University (BA) Juilliard School (GrDip) American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1960–1992
Spouse(s)	Valerie Wiggins ​ ​ (m. 1972; div. 1974)​
Children	1
Awards	Drama Desk Award (Purlie, 1970) Tony Award (Purlie, 1970) Primetime Emmy Award (Dear John, 1989)

Cleavon Jake Little (born June 1, 1939 – died October 22, 1992) was a talented American actor. He performed in plays, movies, and TV shows. He started his acting journey in the late 1960s on stage.

In 1970, he starred in the Broadway play Purlie. For this role, he won two big awards: a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award. His first main TV role was Dr. Jerry Noland in the show Temperatures Rising (1972–1974). While on that show, Little also played his most famous role. He was Sheriff Bart in the 1974 comedy movie Blazing Saddles.

In the 1980s, Cleavon Little kept acting in plays, movies, and TV shows. In 1989, he won an Primetime Emmy Award for his guest role on the TV show Dear John. Later, he starred in the TV show True Colors (1991–1992).

Early Life and Education

Cleavon Little was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma. His parents were Malchi and DeEtta Little. He had a sister, DeEtta Little West, who was a singer. She was known for singing the main theme song for the movie Rocky, called "Gonna Fly Now". Cleavon also had another sister, Rosemarie, and two brothers, Everett and Roy.

Cleavon grew up in San Diego, California. He went to Kearny High School and finished in 1957. He then went to San Diego State College. He earned a degree in speech therapy in 1965. While in college, he worked as a janitor to pay for his studies. He also performed in a play called A Raisin in the Sun in 1962.

After college, he won a special scholarship from the American Broadcasting Company. This allowed him to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He was even named the best actor in his class when he graduated in 1967.

Acting Career Highlights

Melba Moore and Little in the Broadway musical Purlie (1970)

Cleavon Little started his professional acting career in 1967. He appeared in an off-Broadway play called MacBird. After that, he played Foxtrot in another play, Scuba Duba. During the day, he also performed as Hamlet for schools and parks.

In 1968, he had a small role in his first movie, What's So Bad About Feeling Good?. He also appeared on TV for the first time in the show Felony Squad. He then had small roles in movies like John and Mary (1969) and Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970).

Little made his Broadway debut in 1969 in the musical Jimmy Shine. He starred alongside Dustin Hoffman. In 1970, he returned to Broadway for the musical Purlie. His performance in Purlie was a big success. He won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical.

In 1971, Cleavon Little played Super Soul in the movie Vanishing Point. That same year, he was in the TV pilot for The Waltons, called "The Homecoming: A Christmas Story". He also appeared in an episode of All in the Family.

From 1972 to 1974, he starred as Dr. Jerry Noland in the TV show Temperatures Rising. In 1974, he was in the TV movie The Day the Earth Moved.

His most famous role came in 1974. He played Sheriff Bart in the comedy western movie Blazing Saddles, directed by Mel Brooks. This role made him very well-known. He was even nominated for a BAFTA Award for this performance.

Cleavon Little continued to appear in many TV shows as a guest star. These included The Mod Squad, The Rockford Files, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and MacGyver.

Later Career and Achievements

In the late 1970s and 1980s, Cleavon Little acted in more films. Some of these included Greased Lightning (1977), FM (1978), and Fletch Lives (1989).

He also returned to the stage. In 1985, he performed in the Broadway play I'm Not Rappaport. He had first played this role in Seattle.

In 1989, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. This was for his role as Tony Larkin in an episode of the TV show Dear John.

In 1991, he joined the TV show True Colors. He played Ronald Freeman, a dentist. That same year, he had a role in the TV movie Separate but Equal. In this movie, he played Robert L. Carter, a civil rights lawyer. The movie was about the famous Supreme Court case that ended segregation in public schools.

Cleavon Little's last acting role was in a 1992 episode of the TV show Tales from the Crypt.

Death and Legacy

Cleavon Little passed away on October 22, 1992. He died from colon cancer at his home in Sherman Oaks, California.

For his great work in movies, he received a special honor after his death. On February 1, 1994, he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star is on Hollywood Boulevard.

A scholarship was created in his name at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. It is called the Cleavon Little Scholarship. It helps minority students who want to study acting.

Cleavon Little was married to Valerie Wiggins, but they later divorced. He had one daughter, Adia Millett.

Filmography

Theater

• Purlie, Broadway play. (1970)
• All Over Town, Broadway play. (1974)
• I'm Not Rappaport, Broadway play. (1985)

Images for kids

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  Cleavon Little and Jayne Meadows in Temperatures Rising (1972)