Cleavon Little

Cleavon Jake Little was an American stage, film, and television actor. Little began his career in the late 1960s on the stage. In 1970, he starred in the Broadway production of Purlie for which he earned both a Drama Desk and a Tony Award. In 1972, Little starred as the irreverent Dr. Jerry Noland on the ABC sitcom Temperatures Rising. Two years later, he starred in the role for which he is best known, as Sheriff Bart in the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy Blazing Saddles.

Little was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He was the brother of singer DeEtta Little, best known for her performance of Gonna Fly Now, the main theme to Rocky. He was raised in California, graduating in 1957 from Kearny High School and initially attended San Diego City College, and then at San Diego State University, where he earned a bachelors degree in dramatic arts. After receiving a full scholarship to graduate school at Juilliard, he moved to New York. After completing studies at Juilliard, Little trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Source: Wikipedia