Alex Karras

Alexander George Karras (July 15, 1935 – October 10, 2012) was an American professional football player who also worked as a professional wrestler, sportscaster, and actor. Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, he was the son of Dr. George Karras, a Greek immigrant from Chios who graduated from the University of Chicago and earned his medical degree in Canada, where he met and married Emmeline (née Wilson), a Canadian registered nurse. George Karras opened a medical practice in Gary but died when Alex was thirteen.

Karras played defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League from 1958 to 1970. Over that span he was selected to four Pro Bowls. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Centennial class.

After football, Karras built a second career as an actor. He played Mongo in the 1974 comedy film Blazing Saddles and had a prominent role in Victor/Victoria, which starred Julie Andrews and James Garner. From 1983 to 1989 he starred as George Papadopolis, the adoptive father of Webster Long (played by Emmanuel Lewis), in the ABC sitcom Webster, appearing alongside his wife, Susan Clark. Karras died on October 10, 2012, at the age of 77.