- Born
- Died
- Birth nameCleavon Jake Little
- Height1.82 m
- Versatile, charismatic actor Cleavon Little was born on June 1, 1939, in Oklahoma but grew up in California and attended San Diego College. He earned a scholarship to Juilliard and moved to New York, then trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Art and was soon appearing off-Broadway. Classically trained ("Hamlet" "A Midsummer Night's Dream"), he won the Tony award for a less weighty musical, "Purlie", which took him west. A few film roles came his way with L'intrus magnifique (1968), John et Mary (1969), Le Casse de l'oncle Tom (1970), and the cult film Point limite zéro (1971) but it was the 1972 sitcom Temperatures Rising (1972) that finally got him some leverage in Hollywood. The by-now popular actor caught the eye of film producers. With his sly charm and appeal, he was a natural for comedy and hit the apex of his career after winning a co-starring role opposite Gene Wilder in the Mel Brooks western spoof Le shérif est en prison (1974). He never matched that success but did continue with important stage roles ("I'm Not Rappaport") and other TV series work (Bagdad Cafe (1990)). A hard-working, heavily driven man, Little was plagued by ulcers and stomach disorders for much of his life. He died at age 53 of colon cancer in 1992.- IMDb mini biography by: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net
- SpouseValerie Wiggins(February 19, 1972 - 1974) (divorced, 1 child)
- ChildrenAida Millet-Little
- ParentsMalachi LittleDe Etta Jones
- RelativesDeEtta Little(Sibling)
- He won the lead role of Sheriff Bart in Le shérif est en prison (1974) over Richard Pryor, who co-wrote the script, intending to play the role himself. Studio executives were apparently nervous over Pryor's reputation as a racy comedian and thought Little would be a safer choice.
- He was a talented Shakespearean but was forced at the time to accept comedy roles when few black actors were considered for such important and serious roles. His passion remained for the classics, and he returned frequently to play such roles.
- He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 1, 1994.
- Following his death, his remains were cremated and his ashes were scattered into the New York harbor.
- Brother of singer DeEtta Little, best known for her vocal performance (with Nelson Pigford) on the chart-topping Bill Conti song "Gonna Fly Now", the main theme to Rocky (1976).
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