Alex Karras Alex Karras appeared as Lance Cpl. Lyle Wesson in the Season 3 M*A*S*H episode "Springtime". Personal Information Gender: Male Height: 6'2" Weight: 248 lbs. Born: July 15, 1935 Birthplace: Gary, Indiana, U.S. Died: October 10, 2012 (aged 77) Deathplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S. Occupation/ Career:
What episode of mash is Alex Karras in?
Alex Karras appeared as Lance Cpl. Lyle Wesson in the Season 3 M*A*S*H episode "Springtime". Alexander George "Alex" Karras (July 15, 1935 – October 10, 2012) was an American football player and actor. After an illustrious professional football career with the NFL's Detroit Lions, Karras became an actor.
What is Alex Karras best known for?
Alexander George "Alex" Karras (July 15, 1935 – October 10, 2012) was an American football player and actor. After an illustrious professional football career with the NFL's Detroit Lions, Karras became an actor. He was best known for his role on the long-running sitcom Webster and as the monstrous Mongo in the film Blazing Saddles.
Who is Alex Karras married to?
Alex Karras was born on July 15, 1935 in Gary, Indiana, USA as Alexander George Karras. He was an actor and producer, known for Blazing Saddles (1974), Victor Victoria (1982) and Porky's (1981). He was married to Susan Clark and Ivalyn Joan Jurgensen.
Was Alex Karras a Hall-of-Fame football player?
The family of Alex Karras believed he was a Hall-of-Fame football player. Confirmation finally came this week. Carolyn Karras had long ago given up hope. She believed her father Alex had been a Hall-of-Fame football player with the Detroit Lions -- but that was five decades ago. There have been 57 classes in Pro Football Hall-of-Fame history.
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What football player was on MASH?
MASH (1970) - Ben Davidson as Football Player #88 - 325th Evac. - IMDb.
What TV show was Alex Karras in?
Webster1983 – 1989Hardcase1972Centennial1978 – 1979Monday Night FootballSince 1970Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking...1980Alex Karras/TV showsIn the 1980s, Karras had memorable success in the TV sitcom Webster, playing George Papadapolis, the title character's adoptive father, in a role that showcased his softer side.
What movies did Alex Karras play in?
Blazing Saddles1974Hardcase1972Victor Victoria1982Against All Odds1984Porky's1981Babe1975Alex Karras/Appears in
What happened to Alex Karras?
He was 77. Karras had kidney disease, heart disease and stomach cancer, his family said in a statement announcing his death, as well as dementia.
Why did Paul Hornung get suspended?
Today in sports history (1964), NFL legends Paul Hornung and Alex Karras were reinstated after a year suspension. The two players were suspended by Pete Rozelle for gambling during their time in the league together. Both the Packers and Lions felt the impact of losing these two players.
Was Alex Karras good?
A true team leader for the Lions, Karras led a Detroit defense that finished second in points allowed in the NFL three times that resulted in the best win-loss records during his career – 11-3 in 1962, 9-4-1 in 1969 and 10-4-0 in 1970. His career was capped with his lone playoff appearance in 1970.
Who was Webster's dad?
Webster dad Alex Karras sues NFL over dementia Along with real-life wife Susan Clark, Karras parented child-star Emmanuel Lewis in the 1983-89 family sitcom Webster. Before that, Mel Brooks fans knew Karras as the horse-punching, man-beast Mongo in the 1974 Western send-up, Blazing Saddles.
Is Alex Karras in the Hall of Fame?
For all the acclaim that followed, Karras died at age 77 in 2012 without one of the honors he coveted most: a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Better late than never, Karras will be formally enshrined as part of the Hall's Centennial Class of 2020.
Who did Alex Karras marry?
Susan Clarkm. 1980–2012Joan Jurgensenm. 1958–1976Alex Karras/Spouse
How old is Alex Karas?
77 years (1935–2012)Alex Karras / Age at death
What happened to Websters parents?
The show, set in Chicago, revolves around Webster Long (Emmanuel Lewis), a 5-year-old African American orphan whose biological parents, Travis and Gert Long, were recently killed in a car accident.
What nationality was Alex Karras?
AmericanAlex Karras / Nationality
Is Alex Karras in the Football Hall of Fame?
For all the acclaim that followed, Karras died at age 77 in 2012 without one of the honors he coveted most: a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Better late than never, Karras will be formally enshrined as part of the Hall's Centennial Class of 2020.
Is Karras on Patriots related to Alex Karras?
Ted Karras, great-nephew of former NFL player and actor Alex Karras, is the Patriots third 6th round pick.
Who did Alex Karras marry?
Susan Clarkm. 1980–2012Joan Jurgensenm. 1958–1976Alex Karras/Spouse
What nationality was Alex Karras?
AmericanAlex Karras / Nationality
Where was Alex Karras born?
Born and raised in Gary, Indiana , Karras was the son of Dr. George Karras, a Greek immigrant (from Chios) who graduated from the University of Chicago and got his medical degree in Canada. There, George Karras met and married a Canadian woman, Alex's mother, Emmeline (née Wilson), a registered nurse. George Karras opened a medical practice in Gary, but he died when Alex was thirteen years old. By that time, Alex Karras had learned to play football in a parking lot near his home, and he blossomed into a four-time Indiana all-state selection at Gary's Emerson High School .
How old was Alex Karras when he died?
George Karras opened a medical practice in Gary, but he died when Alex was thirteen years old. By that time, Alex Karras had learned to play football in a parking lot near his home, and he blossomed into a four-time Indiana all-state selection at Gary's Emerson High School .
What team did Karras play for?
From 1960 to 1966, except for his suspension in 1963, he played next to Roger Brown, forming a formidable pair of defensive tackles, until the latter was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. After another season of controversy under new head coach Harry Gilmer, Karras was rumored to be ready to play out his option and sign with the expansion Miami Dolphins of the American Football League under his former coach Wilson. Instead, Karras signed a seven-year contract with the Lions on May 20, 1966, with Wilson stating that Karras had used the threat of signing with Miami to garner the large deal with Detroit. Despite the new contract, controversy remained, as Karras and Gilmer sparred in midseason, with the coach reportedly ready to release the veteran defensive tackle. As before, it would be the coach who would depart, with Karras's former teammate Joe Schmidt taking over. On June 4, 1967, Karras once again hinted he would retire to work at a new business venture; once training camp began, though, Karras was back with the Lions. During that preseason, he jokingly commented that he would walk back from Denver if the AFL Broncos defeated the Lions. When that actually happened, Karras backtracked and flew home on the team plane. He was still an All-Pro selection in 1967 to 1969. Despite not allowing a touchdown in the divisional round of the 1970 NFL playoffs, the Lions lost to the Dallas Cowboys 5–0, his first playoff game and his final game. After the 1971 preseason, while rehabilitating a knee injury suffered the previous year, Karras was released, ending his playing career at age 35.
What happened to Karras in 1955?
Karras' sophomore year with Iowa in 1955 got off to a rocky start when he showed up for practice twenty pounds (9 kg) overweight. Karras was also hampered that season by a cracked ankle bone. After being disappointed at not getting to play in the season finale, Karras threw a shoe at Evashevski and quit the team.
How much did Karras earn in his career?
Before his NFL career got underway, Karras signed a contract as a professional wrestler on December 13, 1957, earning $25,000 during the six-month off-season. Karras was the tenth selection of the 1958 NFL draft, taken by the Detroit Lions. He signed with the Lions, spurning an offer from the Canadian Football League 's Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He quickly became one of the dominant defensive tackles in the NFL, playing for 12 seasons (1958–1962, 1964–1970) all with the Lions.
How tall was Karras in the shot put?
He participated in the shot put, throwing a respectable 52 feet (16 m). In his senior season in 1957, Karras was the most dominant lineman in the nation, won the Outland Trophy, and was the runner-up in the voting for the Heisman Trophy.
Where did Karras play college football?
College career. Karras from 1958 Hawkeye. His older brothers, Lou (a future member of the Redskins) and Ted (who later played with the Bears and Lions ), had played at Purdue but later Ted transferred to Indiana. Because of this, Alex said, "Indiana had the inside track" on recruiting him.
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Who is Alex Karras?
Who was Alex Karras? Alex Karras was an American football player, actor and sportscaster, best remembered for his performance in the comedy film ‘Blazing Saddles’. The Indiana-born athlete was also a four times pro-bowl player in the NFL where he represented Detroit Lions.
What movie did Alex Karras play himself in?
Acting Career. Alex Karras was offered to play himself in the 1968 film ‘Paper Lion’ , which was based on a book of the same name, written by George Plimpton. The story was based on George’s experience with the Detroit Lions. The film received good reviews and was successful at the box office as well.
What did Alex die from?
It was revealed on October 8, 2012 that Alex had suffered from kidney failure. On the morning of October 10, he passed away in his Los Angeles home. He was also suffering from dementia and stomach cancer at the time of his death.
What is Alex Karras' family background?
His father had Greek ancestry, while his mother was Canadian. Alex grew up in a middle-class house household with two older brothers, named Lou and Ted Karras. His father practiced medicine in Gary. He passed away when Alex was 13, and it was a major blow to the family.
When did Alex Karras leave Iowa?
Alex Karras left Iowa in 1957 to try his luck in professional wrestling. Within a few months, he earned more than $25,000, which was amazing by a beginner wrestler’s standards.
Where did Alex learn to play football?
Alex learned to play football in a parking lot near his home. He slowly excelled at it and became a star in his school’s football team. He helped the Emerson High School’s football team win many tournaments. He made it to the Indiana All-State selection four times while still in school.
Why did Gilmer accuse Alex of leaving the NFL?
Gilmer had accused Alex of threatening to leave the team for a better deal. Alex did not take his NFL career very seriously and threatened to leave again in 1967. By the next year, he had already found an alternative career. Recommended Lists:
Storyline
It is a beautiful Spring day that makes one yearn for a group lobotomy. Trapper grabs a nurse; Radar wants to grab pretty Lt. Simmons (Mary Kay Place) and Henry grabs some golf. In the field, nostrils flare as Hotlips and Frank grab each other. A hairy English rose reads Rupert Brooke... and a telegram.
Did you know
During MeTV's "The Best By Farr" marathon Jamie Farr mentioned that as he was running through the field in high heels, the heels kept breaking at $35 a pair, so the director finally said, "He's in high weeds, no one will see his feet, put him in tennis shoes."
How long did Alex Karras wait for his call from Canton?
The family of Alex Karras waited 45 years for this call from Canton. The family of Alex Karras believed he was a Hall-of-Fame football player. Confirmation finally came this week. Author:
Where did Karras move to?
Karras retired and moved to California where he pursued a second career in acting – a career that actually started during his playing days in 1968 in the movie “Paper Lion.” Author George Plimpton went to training camp with the Lions and wrote a book about his experiences as a last-string quarterback – a book that later became a movie featuring Karras and a number of his teammates.
How many seasons did Karras play for the Lions?
Karras played 12 seasons with the Lions and collected a franchise-record 97 ½ sacks. But Detroit never won a championship, and Karras managed to play in only one playoff game – the final game of his career, a 5-0 NFC semifinal loss to the Dallas Cowboys in 1970.
Was Karras in the Hall of Fame?
Karras had been an eligible candidate for 44 of them but never a finalist for any of them. “I knew he was in the Hall of Fame anyway…just without all the hoopla,” Carolyn said. “I knew his career, and I knew his numbers. But if he couldn’t get in, he couldn’t get in. So I just pretended he was in.”.
Is Alex Karras a member of the Centennial Class?
Then came the Centennial Class and the announcement on the NFL Network Wednesday morning that Alex Karras would indeed be a member of that class. Finally. But it will be a posthumous honor. Karras passed away in 2012.
Overview
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 played Mongo in the 1974 comedy film Blazing Saddles. He starred as George Papadopolis, the adoptive …
Early life
Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, Karras was the son of Dr. George Karras, a Greek immigrant (from Chios) who graduated from the University of Chicago and pursued his medical degree in Canada. There, George Karras met and married a Canadian woman, Alex's mother, Emmeline (née Wilson), a registered nurse. George Karras opened a medical practice in Gary, but he died when Alex was thirteen years old. By that time, Alex Karras had learned to play football in a parking lot …
College career
His older brothers, Lou (a future member of the Redskins) and Ted (who later played with the Bears and Lions), had played at Purdue but later Ted transferred to Indiana. Because of it, Alex said, "Indiana had the inside track" on recruiting him. Shortly after he graduated from high school, three coaches from the Iowa Hawkeyes met Karras at his brother Louie's house with an airplane and flew hi…
Professional football
Before his NFL career got underway, Karras signed a contract as a professional wrestler on December 13, 1957, earning $25,000 during the six-month off-season. Karras was the tenth selection of the 1958 NFL draft, taken by the Detroit Lions. He signed with the Lions, spurning an offer from the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He quickly became one of the dominant defensive tackles in the NFL, playing for 12 seasons (1958–1962, 1964–1970) all with …
Film and television
Karras's sense of humor came to the attention of writer George Plimpton, who heard many stories about Karras while training with the Lions for his book Paper Lion during the summer of 1963.
Karras himself was under suspension and thus absent during Plimpton's training camp tenure with the Lions, making him a constant topic of tall-tale discussion among his past (and future) teammates.
Writing
Besides being one of the subjects of George Plimpton's nonfiction book Paper Lion (published in 1966), he was one of the two principal subjects of Plimpton's follow-up book, Mad Ducks and Bears (1973), in which fellow Detroit Lion John Gordy was the "bear" to Karras's "mad duck". Karras named one of his sons after Plimpton. During his last years as a Detroit Lion, Karras wrote a journal of his experiences that was published in the Detroit Free Press. He subsequently wrote a …
Honors
In conjunction with the 100 Years of Hawkeye Football celebration in 1989, Iowa Hawkeye fans selected an all-time team. The squad featured 11 players on offense and defense, two kickers, and 15 special-mention players who received strong fan support. Karras was voted to the team as a defensive lineman. He was elected to the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame in 1977 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
Later activities
Karras also worked briefly as a football coach in 2007 and 2008. He worked for the SIL as an assistant coach to Bob Lombardi. He owned an ice cream parlor in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, called The Cow.