Net Worth Ranker
What Is Cleavon Little’s Net Worth?
At the time of his passing in 1992, Cleavon Little, a celebrated American actor known for his work on stage, film, and television, had an estimated net worth of $2 million. This figure reflects his decades-long career in the entertainment industry, encompassing various roles and projects.
Cleavon Little’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on June 1, 1939, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, Cleavon Little’s early life was marked by a move to San Diego, California, where he grew up with his siblings. His sister, DeEtta Little West, achieved fame as a vocalist on the iconic theme song “Gonna Fly Now” from the movie “Rocky”. Cleavon attended Kearny High School, graduating in 1957, before pursuing a degree in speech therapy at San Diego State College, which he completed in 1965. Even before graduating, Little’s passion for acting was evident. In 1962, he performed in “A Raisin in the Sun” at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. To finance his studies and acting aspirations, he worked as a janitor and presented Black poetry readings to campus groups. He later secured a scholarship from the American Broadcasting Company to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and was named the most exceptional actor of his 1967 class.
Cleavon Little’s Theatrical Successes and Transition to Film and Television
Cleavon Little’s professional acting journey commenced in February 1967 with an off-Broadway appearance in Barbara Garson’s “MacBird” at the Village Gate. Soon after, he took on the role of Foxtrot in Bruce Jay Friedman’s “Scuba Duba,” which premiered in October 1967 and enjoyed a long run. Simultaneously, he portrayed Hamlet for the New York Shakespeare Festival in schools and parks. His first foray into film came in 1968 with an uncredited role in “What’s So Bad About Feeling Good?” that same year, he debuted on television with guest appearances on two episodes of “Felony Squad.” He landed roles in the films “John and Mary” and “Cotton Comes to Harlem” in 1969 and 1970, respectively.
Little debuted on Broadway in 1969 as Lee Haines in the musical “Jimmy Shine.” In 1970, he played the lead role in Ossie Davis’s musical “Purlie,” earning him the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. This theatrical success marked a pivotal point in his career, solidifying his status as a versatile performer. In 1971, Little joined the cast of the syndicated television variety show “The David Frost Revue.” He also played Shogo in “Narrow Road to the Deep North” on Broadway.
That year, he played the blind radio personality Super Soul in the car chase movie “Vanishing Point.” He also appeared in the pilot for “The Waltons” and an episode of “All in the Family.” Little then landed a starring role in the ABC sitcom “Temperature Rising,” which aired from 1972 to 1974. He portrayed Dr. Jerry Noland on the show.
Cleavon Little’s Breakthrough Role in “Blazing Saddles” and Subsequent Career
In 1974, Cleavon Little starred in the disaster film “The Day the Earth Moved.” He also made a minor appearance in “The Six Million Dollar Man.” Little secured the role of Sheriff Bart in Mel Brooks’s comedy western “Blazing Saddles” in 1974, one of his most well-known roles. Although Richard Pryor was initially considered for the part and co-wrote the script, studio executives felt he was unreliable, and Little was chosen instead. Little received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles for his performance, though the award was discontinued after 1984.
Little returned to Broadway in 1975 to play Lewis in “All Over Town.” He then played Willy Stepp in “The Poison Tree” in 1976. Throughout the rest of the 1970s, Cleavon appeared in films like “Greased Lightning,” “FM,” and “Scavenger Hunt.”
During the 1980s, Little continued to perform in films such as “The Salamander,” “High Risk,” “Jimmy the Kid,” “Surf II,” “Toy Soldiers,” “Once Bitten,” “The Gig,” and “Fletch Lives.” He also returned to the New York stage in 1981 in the off-Broadway production “The Resurrection of Lady Lester.” In 1985, Cleavon opened at Broadway’s Booth Theatre in the play “I’m Not Rappaport.” In 1989, he played a closeted gay man in an episode of the sitcom “Dear John,” for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. In 1991, Little appeared on the Fox sitcom “True Colors.” The same year, he played a supporting role on the television series “Bagdad Café” and appeared in 12 episodes. He was also cast in the docudrama “Separate but Equal,” playing a civil rights attorney. He also appeared in the television series “MacGyver.” Cleavon’s last acting role was in a 1992 episode of “Tales from the Crypt.” Details regarding specific salaries, contracts, or royalties from these various roles aren’t publicly available, making a precise calculation of his earnings challenging. However, his consistent work across various mediums contributed to his reported net worth of $2 million.
Cleavon Little’s Posthumous Recognition and Legacy
Cleavon Little’s personal life included a marriage to Valerie Wiggins in 1972, which ended in divorce in 1974. He had a daughter named Adia Millett. In 1992, Cleavon Little passed away due to colon cancer at his home in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles. His contributions to motion pictures were posthumously acknowledged with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in February 1994. The American Academy of Dramatic Arts created the Cleavon Little Scholarship in his honor to assist minority students.
