<P> Alexander George Karras ( July 15 , 1935 -- October 10 , 2012 ) was an American football player , professional wrestler , sportscaster , and actor . He was a four - time Pro Bowl player with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League ( NFL ) , where he played from 1958 to 1970 . As an actor , Karras is noted for his role as Mongo in the 1974 comedy film Blazing Saddles . He was also known for starring as Webster Long 's ( Emmanuel Lewis ) adoptive father , George Papadopolis , in the ABC sitcom Webster ( 1983 -- 1989 ) alongside his wife Susan Clark . He was also featured prominently in Victor / Victoria , starring Julie Andrews and James Garner . He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame . </P>
<P> Alexander George Karras ( July 15 , 1935 -- October 10 , 2012 ) was an American football player , professional wrestler , sportscaster , and actor . He was a four - time Pro Bowl player with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League ( NFL ) , where he played from 1958 to 1970 . As an actor , Karras is noted for his role as Mongo in the 1974 comedy film Blazing Saddles . He was also known for starring as Webster Long 's ( Emmanuel Lewis ) adoptive father , George Papadopolis , in the ABC sitcom Webster ( 1983 -- 1989 ) alongside his wife Susan Clark . He was also featured prominently in Victor / Victoria , starring Julie Andrews and James Garner . He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame . </P>
who played the character mongo in the movie blazing saddles
who played the character mongo in the movie blazing saddles
Alexander George Karras
Alexander George Karras