Alexander George Karras

 Alexander George Karras (July 15, 1935 – October 10, 2012)

Karras was a 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 played Mongo in the 1974 comedy film Blazing Saddles. He starred as Webster Long's (Emmanuel Lewis) adoptive father, George Papadopolis, in the ABC sitcom Webster (1983–1989) alongside his wife Susan Clark. Karras also had a prominent role in Victor/Victoria, starring Julie Andrews and James Garner. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Karras also worked briefly as a football coach in 2007 and 2008. He worked for the SIL as an assistant coach to Bob Lombardi. In addition, he owned an ice cream parlor in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, called The Cow. Karras was married twice, having five children in his first marriage, and a daughter in the second. His second wife was actress Susan Clark. In his later years, Karras suffered from serious health problems, including dementia, heart disease, and cancer. On October 8, 2012, it was revealed by friend Tom McInerney that Karras had been diagnosed with kidney failure. He was treated at the Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, before being released into hospice care. After returning to his Los Angeles home with family, Karras died in the morning hours of October 10, age 77. His body was cremated.