Actor and NFL Star Alex Karras Dies - Acadiana's Multi-Media News Station

Actor and NFL Star Alex Karras Dies

DETROIT (AP) - The man who went from punching out a horse to giving fatherly advice to Emmanuel Lewis has died. Alex Karras suffered from kidney failure and dementia. He died today at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 77.

   Karras was probably most famously known for playing the brute Mongo in "Blazing Saddles" who punches a horse. Later he played Lewis' lovable adoptive dad George in "Webster." Karras also was an analyst for "Monday Night Football." Karras got his start as a lineman for the Detroit Lions. He was part of a lawsuit with more than 3,500 other former players suing the NFL for not protecting them better from head injuries.

Submitted by Blue Rolfes