<Tr> <Th> Spouse (s) </Th> <Td> Valerie Wiggins (m . 1972; div. 1974) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Awards </Th> <Td> Drama Desk Award (Purlie, 1970) Tony Award (Purlie, 1970) Primetime Emmy Award (Dear John, 1989) </Td> </Tr> <P> Cleavon Jake Little (June 1, 1939--October 22, 1992) was an American stage, film, and television actor . He began his career in the late 1960s on the stage . In 1970, he starred in the Broadway production of Purlie, for which he earned both a Drama Desk Award and a Tony Award . His first leading television role was that of the irreverent Dr. Jerry Noland on the ABC sitcom Temperatures Rising (1972--1974). Shortly before the program's conclusion, Little gave what has become his signature performance, portraying Sheriff Bart in the Mel Brooks comedy film Blazing Saddles (1974). </P> <P> In the 1980s, Little continued to appear in stage productions, films, and in guest spots on television series . In 1989, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for his appearance on the NBC sitcom Dear John . He later starred on the Fox sitcom True Colors (1991--1992). </P>

Who was the black actor in blazing saddles