<P> Cleavon Jake Little ( June 1 , 1939 -- October 22 , 1992 ) was an American stage , film , and television actor . He 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 Award and a Tony Award . His first leading television role was that of the irreverent Dr. Jerry Noland on the ABC sitcom Temperatures Rising ( 1972 -- 1974 ) . Shortly before the program 's conclusion , Little gave what has become his signature performance , portraying Sheriff Bart in the Mel Brooks comedy film Blazing Saddles ( 1974 ) . </P>
<P> Cleavon Jake Little ( June 1 , 1939 -- October 22 , 1992 ) was an American stage , film , and television actor . He 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 Award and a Tony Award . His first leading television role was that of the irreverent Dr. Jerry Noland on the ABC sitcom Temperatures Rising ( 1972 -- 1974 ) . Shortly before the program 's conclusion , Little gave what has become his signature performance , portraying Sheriff Bart in the Mel Brooks comedy film Blazing Saddles ( 1974 ) . </P>
who was the black actor in blazing saddles
who was the black actor in blazing saddles
Cleavon Jake Little
Cleavon Jake Little