Cleavon Little Biography: Films, Wife, Obituary, Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Children

Cleavon Little was a renowned American actor who was celebrated for his stage, film, and television work.

He began his career in the late 1960s, focusing on stage performances, including roles in Shakespearean plays and the production of I’m Not Rappaport.

Little gained widespread recognition for his iconic portrayal of Sheriff Bart in Mel Brooks’s 1974 comedy Blazing Saddles.

His film career featured notable roles in Vanishing Point and Cotton Comes to Harlem. On television, he starred in series such as Temperatures Rising, Bagdad Cafe, and True Colors.

Little’s performance in Dear John earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.

Profile

• Full Name: Cleavon Jake Little
• Stage Name: Cleavon Little
• Born: 1 June 1939
• Died: 22 October 1992
• Age: 53 years old
• Birthplace: Chickasha, Oklahoma, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American actor
• Height: 1.82 m
• Parent: Malachi Little and DeEtta Jones Little.
• Siblings: DeEtta Little West, Rosemarie Little Martin, Everett Little, and Roy Little
• Spouse: Valerie Wiggins (m. 1972–1974)
• Children: Adia Millett-Little
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life And Education

Cleavon Jake Little was born on June 1, 1939, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to Malachi Little and DeEtta Jones Little. He grew up in San Diego, California, with his siblings: a sister, DeEtta Little West (a singer), another sister, Rosemarie Little Martin, and two brothers, Everett and Roy.

Little graduated from Kearny High School in 1957 and later attended San Diego City College. He earned a degree in speech therapy from San Diego State University in 1965.

Afterward, he received a scholarship to Juilliard and further honed his craft at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Though African American, Little’s religious beliefs were not publicly known.

Career

Cleavon Little began his career in the late 1960s after receiving extensive training in classical theater. He moved to California and earned a bachelor’s degree in dramatic arts from San Diego State University before continuing his studies with a scholarship to Juilliard and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

His professional debut came in 1967, when he performed in Shakespearean plays such as Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Little also appeared in Off-Broadway productions like Scuba Duba alongside Judd Hirsch.

His Broadway debut occurred in 1968 with the musical Jimmy Shine, starring Dustin Hoffman. However, his role as the preacher Purlie Victorious Judson in the 1970 Broadway musical Purlie catapulted him to fame, earning him both a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award.

In parallel to his stage success, Little began his film career in the late 1960s, with early appearances in films like What’s So Bad About Feeling Good? (1968), John and Mary (1969), and Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970).

He also starred in the cult classic Vanishing Point (1971), showcasing his versatility and solidifying his reputation in Hollywood. His television career took off in the early 1970s, with a regular role on the sitcom Temperatures Rising (1972).

Little’s charm and comedic timing made him a favorite, leading to numerous guest appearances on popular series such as The Mod Squad, Police Story, The Rockford Files, The Love Boat, and Fantasy Island throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. His breakthrough film role came in 1974 when Mel Brooks cast him as Sheriff Bart in Blazing Saddles.

This satirical Western was a critical and commercial success, earning Little a BAFTA nomination for Most Promising Newcomer.

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Little continued to make his mark on both stage and screen.

He reunited with Judd Hirsch in the Tony Award-winning play I’m Not Rappaport. In 1989, he earned a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his appearance on Hirsch’s sitcom Dear John. Little also starred in television series like Bagdad Cafe and True Colors, portraying roles emphasizing Black cultural experiences.

His dramatic talents shone through in roles such as portraying jazz saxophonist Lester Young in The Resurrection of Lady Lester and a civil rights lawyer in the docudrama Separate But Equal alongside Sidney Poitier.

Little’s range extended beyond comedy with his performance opposite Richard Pryor in Greased Lightning, a film about the first Black stock car racer, further solidifying his place as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors.

Social Media

Cleavon Little does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Cleavon Little was married to Valerie Wiggins from 1972 until their divorce in 1974. They had one daughter, Adia Millett (also known as Adia Millett-Little).

There are no public records of any other spouses or children. Little passed away on October 22, 1992, at the age of 53, after battling colon cancer at his home in Sherman Oaks, California.

Filmography

Films:

• What’s So Bad About Feeling Good? (1968)
• John and Mary (1969)
• Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970
• Vanishing Point (1971)
• Blazing Saddles (1974)
• Greased Lightning (1977)
• FM (1978)
• Scavenger Hunt (1979)
• The Salamander (1981)
• High Risk (1981)
• The Gig (1985)
• Fletch Lives (1989)
• Murder by Numbers (1989)
• Goin’ to Chicago (1990)
• Separate But Equal (1991, TV Mini-Series)
• In the Nick of Time (1991, TV Movie
• Perfect Harmony (1991, TV Movie)

Television:

• Temperatures Rising (1972–1974)
• The Waltons (1971, 1975)
• The Rockford Files (1977)
• Fantasy Island (1981)
• The Fall Guy (1982)
• ALF (1987)
• Dear John (1989)
• MacGyver (1989–1991)
• Bagdad Cafe (1990–1991)
• True Colors (1991–1992)
• Tales from the Crypt (1992)

Net Worth

At the time of his death in 1992, Cleavon Little had an estimated net worth of $2 million. His wealth was primarily derived from his successful acting career, which spanned Broadway, film, and television. Notable roles in productions such as Purlie, Blazing Saddles, and the sitcom Dear John contributed significantly to his financial success.