Los Angeles News
Alex Karras Dies At 77
By Cassie Day
Oct 10, 2012 - 11:16:07 AM

Football star Alex Karras

LOS ANGELES—Former Detriot Lions defensive liner and actor, Alex Karras died on Wednesday. He was with his family in their Los Angeles home when he passed away at the age of 77. Karras was suffering from dementia, kidney disease, heart disease and stomach cancer.

His dementia was a result of repeated life-threatening concussion-related injuries that were overlooked while he played professional football.

Karras was born on July 15, 1935 in Gary, Indiana. He graduated from the University of Iowa where he began his professional football career with the Detroit Lions in 1958. He was with the team until 1971. He was part of the defensive lines classic nickname, the “Fearsome Foursome.”

After football, Karras had a career as an actor. He started out with appearances in television shows, and then moved forward into movie roles. Karras played the character Mongo in Mel Brooks, “Blazing Saddles;” he also played in, “Porky” and “Victor Victoria.” His last show was “Webster.” Karras was also a host on Monday Night Football.

He is survived by his wife Susan and six children.