Blazing Saddles Cast Then and Now 2026 | Who’s Still Alive After 52 Years?

This video explores the cast of Blazing Saddles (1974) and where the actors are now in 2026, including their careers, personal lives, families, achievements, and legacies more than five decades after the film's release. Blazing Saddles remains one of the most influential comedy westerns ever made, redefining satire and pushing the boundaries of mainstream filmmaking in 1974. This video revisits the lives of the cast members who helped create the film, from Academy Award nominees and Broadway stars to athletes, writers, and Hollywood legends. It also examines major career milestones, long-lasting marriages, family connections, notable achievements, and the lives of cast members who have passed away since the film became a cultural landmark. What's covered in this video: • Cleavon Little's groundbreaking performance as Sheriff Bart, his Tony Award-winning stage career in Purlie, and his legacy following his death from colorectal cancer in 1992. • Gene Wilder's portrayal of the Waco Kid, his marriages including Gilda Radner and Karen Webb, and his later work as a novelist and children's author. • Harvey Korman's role as Hedley Lamarr, his success on The Carol Burnett Show, and his long career in comedy television and film. • Carol Arthur's portrayal of Harriett Johnson, her marriage to Dom DeLuise, and the entertainment careers of Peter, Michael, and David DeLuise. • Slim Pickens' role as Taggart, his rodeo background, and his iconic appearance in Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove. • Mel Brooks' performance as Governor William J. Lepetomane, his marriage to Anne Bancroft, his EGOT achievement, and his connection to author Max Brooks. • Alex Karras' portrayal of Mongo, his career with the Detroit Lions, and his television success on Webster alongside Susan Clark. • Burton Gilliam's role as Lyle and his continued status as one of the oldest surviving cast members of Blazing Saddles. • David Huddleston's portrayal of Olson Johnson and his later recognition as the title character in The Big Lebowski. • Madeline Kahn's Academy Award-nominated performance as Lili Von Shtüpp and her remarkable year alongside Paper Moon and Young Frankenstein. • John Hillerman's role as Howard Johnson and his Emmy Award-winning performance as Jonathan Quayle Higgins III in Magnum P.I. • Liam Dunn's portrayal of Reverend Johnson and his additional collaboration with Mel Brooks in Young Frankenstein. • Charles McGregor's role as Charlie and his earlier work in the influential film Super Fly. • George Furth's performance as Van Johnson and his celebrated Broadway collaborations with Stephen Sondheim on Company and Merrily We Roll Along. • Jack Starrett's portrayal of Gabby Johnson and his parallel career directing films such as Run, Angel, Run and Cleopatra Jones. • Robyn Hilton's role as Miss Stein and her life after stepping away from Hollywood during the late twentieth century. • The lasting cultural impact of Blazing Saddles as a comedy western, film school favorite, and enduring landmark of American cinema. Mentioned in this video: Blazing Saddles, Cleavon Little, Bart, Rock Ridge, Tony Award, Purlie, Adia, Hollywood, colorectal cancer, Gene Wilder, Jim, Waco Kid, Jerry Silberman, Mel Brooks, Karen Webb, Gilda Radner, ovarian cancer, Young Frankenstein, Harvey Korman, Hedley Lamarr, The Carol Burnett Show, Governor Lepetomane, Donna Credit, Christine Cerny, Carol Arthur, Harriett Johnson, Dom DeLuise, Peter DeLuise, Michael DeLuise, David DeLuise, Slim Pickens, Taggart, Louis Burton Lindley Jr., Stanley Kubrick, Dr. Strangelove, Margaret Ellis, Melvin Kaminsky, Florence Baum, Anne Bancroft, Max Brooks, World War Z, EGOT, Alex Karras, Mongo, Detroit Lions, Joan Jurgensen, Susan Clark, George Papadopolis, Webster, Burton Gilliam, Texas, David Huddleston, Olson Johnson, The Big Lebowski, Coen Brothers, Sarah Koeppe, Madeline Kahn, Lili Von Shtüpp, Academy Award, Best Supporting Actress, Paper Moon, John Hillerman, Howard Johnson, Jonathan Quayle Higgins III, Magnum P.I., Emmy Award, Liam Dunn, Reverend Johnson, Charles McGregor, Charlie, Super Fly, Harlem, George Furth, Van Johnson, Stephen Sondheim, Company, Merrily We Roll Along, Broadway, Jack Starrett, Gabby Johnson, Run Angel Run, Cleopatra Jones, Robyn Hilton, Miss Stein, American cinema, comedy western.