Also, read about Asya Branch, Cody Johnson, and Nany Gonzalez. Bob Joseph They divorced in 1973. He was a first-team All-American in 1956. fulleryouthinstitute.org. In 2011, Karras began suffering serious health complications and passed away in 2012. By many accounts Karras would marvel at Layne's ability to recover from heavy drinking sessions at night and being able to function effectively at practices or games the next day. Then I met this large, rather shy man. A minor but memorable role came one year later in the western parody Blazing Saddles (1974): the very strong and slow-witted thug Mongo, who rode into town on a huge brahman (marked with "yes" and "no" passing signals), and knocked out a horse with one punch. [12][25], On October 8, 2012, it was revealed by friend Tom McInerney that Karras had been diagnosed with kidney failure. Alex has insight, hes sexy and intelligent, street smart. It makes me nervous to be married again, so we'll do it on the way to the hospital and forget about it," he revealed. Karras called it his biggest college win, saying, "The Karrases have always had a rivalry with Notre Dame. . He is very moral, and his confidence is outstanding to someone like me, who sometimes has lots and then none. Susan was in immediate demand and was quickly cast as another feisty, ill-fated heroine, this time in the form of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart (1976). He had gained weight during his debut season in 1955. As an actor, Karras played Mongo in the 1974 comedy film Blazing Saddles. Alex Karras married actress Susan Clark in 1980, and the couple had one daughter. pisode 6. He got involved in the controversy after purchasing shares in a bar with the money he had earned from wrestling. Alex Karras, who died Wednesday in Los Angeles at age 77, is most identified as a National Football League great and an actor. However, the pair are still alive and continue to cherish the memories of the late football icon. Ara Ana men. Alex Karras - P 2012. She is married to her Webster co-star Alex Karras and has daughter . He was a pledge at Sigma Nu fraternity during his first year in school. Catherine Lincoln, manager of Clark Karras Properties, revealed, "he is, as Susan said to me, in transition.". Upon returning, Jerry refused to speak to her again. Despite not allowing a touchdown in the divisional round of the 1970 NFL playoffs, the Lions lost to the Dallas Cowboys 50, his first playoff game and his final game. he the detroit lion football player and she an actress writer director together make one of hollywood's top power couples Karras himself was under suspension and thus absent during Plimpton's training camp tenure with the Lions, making him a constant topic of tall-tale discussion among his past (and future) teammates. Karras sealed the game with a sack on the game's final play.[5]. By the next year, he had already found an alternative career. Discover Susan Clark's Biography, Age, Height,. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Karras suffered dementia and cancer in recent years, and was part of the mass concussion lawsuit that more than 3,000 former players have filed against the NFL. It wasnt until he became one of the stars of Webster that he was able to show his softer side, as little Websters adoptive father, George Papadapolis. The squad featured 11 players on offense and defense, two kickers, and 15 special-mention players who received strong fan support. Karras was joined in the honor by Nile Kinnick, Chuck Long, and Tim Dwight. Mifflintown, PA 17059. Their marriage occurred not long after announcing they were expecting a baby girl. However, the Lions settled the issue when they fired Wilson after the season. He's a sensitive guy and won't say anything," Karras's manager revealed. Susan Clark (Nora Golding) was born on 8 March, 1943 in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, is an Actress, Producer. Susan Clark (born Nora Golding; March 8, 1943) is a Canadian actress, known for her movie roles such as Coogan's Bluff and Colossus: The Forbin Project, and for her role as Katherine Papadopolis on the American television sitcom Webster, on which she appeared with her husband, Alex Karras. She also had a sibling called Linda Thorson. After another season of controversy under new head coach Harry Gilmer, Karras was rumored to be ready to play out his option and sign with the expansion Miami Dolphins of the American Football League under his former coach Wilson. He also worked occasionally as a professional wrestler in the 50s and 60s. While Karras was nervous, Clark was not enthusiastic about getting married. Actor Susan Clark and her late husband, actor and athlete Alex Karras, joined PAN more than two decades ago. While the series hardly tested the couple's acting mettle and the plot was pretty much a "Diff'rent Strokes" rehash, the show proved quite popular on its own and put Clark and Karras firmly on the TV map between 1983 to 1988. Gilmer had accused Alex of threatening to leave the team for a better deal. During that preseason, he jokingly commented that he would walk back from Denver if the AFL Broncos defeated the Lions. Children. Lineman and Actor, Dies at 77", Vintage Toledo TV: CKLW & CBET-TV 9 Print ads, "Detroit Lions to add Alex Karras, Herman Moore, Roger Brown to ring of honor", "Centennial Slate for Class of 2020 Revealed", "Ex-Lions great Alex Karras suffering from kidney failure", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alex_Karras&oldid=1137223456, Players of American football from Gary, Indiana, American sportspeople of Canadian descent, Sportspeople involved in betting scandals, Sportspeople from the Chicago metropolitan area, Articles with dead external links from October 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, NFL player missing current team parameter, Infobox NFL biography articles missing alt text, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2022, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2012, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 3 February 2023, at 13:30. After his stint on Webster, he has continued to do guest roles on TV shows, most recently in the serial killer drama Dexter. Chad also played the starring role in the 2007 Sundance Film Festival film Save Me, in which he played a drug-addicted gay man. Alexander George Karras (July 15, 1935 - October 10, 2012) was an American football player, professional wrestler, sportscaster, and actor. Highest Rated: . He was called an "iron man" and also nicknamed "Twinkletoes" by his fans, and missed only one game due to injury in his 12 NFL seasons and his 161 games played are the fifteenth-most in Lions history. TIMES STAFF WRITER. Iowa took the lead in the 1956 Big Ten title race with a 70 victory over Minnesota. Her debut movie was Banning (1967) and her last movie was Porkys (1981). Life After Football: The Notable Second Acts of NFL Stars, Former All-pro Alex Karras Makes It in Hollywood, but Loses His College Bride of 18 Years, Emmanuel Lewis Got a Boost from Michael Jackson, but as Webster He Stands on His Own, NFL Sportscaster and Former Player Irv Cross Dead at 81: 'He Was a Constant Gentleman', From Chris Burrous to Aretha Franklin: Remembering the Stars We've Lost in 2018. [1] He was a four-time Pro Bowl player with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL), where he played from 1958 to 1970. ", Actor Alex Karras and actress Susan Clark attend the premiere of "City Of Angels" on June 5, 1991 at the Shubert Theater in Century City, California | Source: Getty Images. [24], Karras was among 3,500 former NFL players who filed lawsuits against the NFL in early 2012, over the long-term damage caused by concussions and repeated hits to the head. She married American football player turned actor Alex Karras in 1980. Karras helped the Hawkeyes win the Rose Bowl over Oregon State, 3519. She married American football player turned actor Alex Karras in 1980, and their daughter Katie was born the same year. [citation needed]. Susan Clark is possibly single at present. Alexander George Karras (July 15, 1935 October 10, 2012) was an American football player, professional wrestler, sportscaster, and actor. Unfortunately, the actor succumbed to the illness at 77 at his California home on October 10, 2012, with Clark and his six children by his side. Her first professional curtain call took place on the musical stage in a 1955 production of "Silk Stockings" which starred veteran actor Don Ameche.The "acting bug" bit hard and a very determined Susan pressed her family to allow her to study at London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! He had a daughter with Susan, and five children with his former wife, Joan Jurgensen. He also coached a few football teams briefly. In the ten years she was under the contract, Clark appeared in various plays and television shows, earning two Emmy nominations. But, where are Webster, his castmates now? In the days leading up to his death, he was in pain. Clark was born to a personal relations executive in Sarnia, Ontario, and grew up in Toronto. co-star Alex Karras, . Susan Clark and Alex Karras Have a Company, a Baby-to-Be & a Home, So Why Not Marry? Id had the playboys where you rush to the bathroom in the morning to get made up and swallow Listerine before he wakes up. [2][3] George Karras opened a medical practice in Gary, but he died when Alex was thirteen years old. Image Credit: Getty Images . From there, Susan only grew in stature. Paramount Television/courtesy Everett Collection. Besides being one of the subjects of George Plimpton's nonfiction book Paper Lion (published in 1966), he was one of the two principal subjects of Plimpton's follow-up book, Mad Ducks and Bears (1973), in which fellow Detroit Lion John Gordy was the "bear" to Karras's "mad duck". Award-winning Canadian actress Susan Clark, born on March 8, 1943, took up acting at an early age (12) in her hometown of Sarnia, Ontario. Susans notable TV series were Webster (1983-89) and Emily of New Moon (1998-99). Aside from 1970, their best years were 1962 (113) and 1969 (941). On the other hand, Karras was not always interested in acting from the beginning. His bar had become a betting joint and a meeting place for criminals. 8: The younger of two brothers. Child(ren) of Susan Clark and Alex Karras. Karras and Clark became acquainted with one another on the set of the 1975 TV movie "Babe." Clark played Babe Didrikson, the famous athlete who died of cancer, while Alex played her husband . Karrass first marriage ended in divorce after 18 years and five children. There, the actress had to adjust and follow instructions to be successful. Alex Karras. She wasborn Nora Golding on 08 March 1943 in Sarnia, Canada. Clark had leading roles in several Universal films, including Coogan's Bluff[2] with Clint Eastwood in 1968, Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here with Robert Redford in 1969, Valdez Is Coming with Burt Lancaster in 1971, Showdown with Dean Martin in 1973, Night Moves with Gene Hackman in 1975, the disaster film Airport 1975, The Apple Dumpling Gang with Bill Bixby in 1975, and another disaster film, City on Fire, in 1979. He slowly excelled at it and became a star in his schools football team. Their daughter was born in 1980. American Football Players, place of death: Los Angeles, California, United States, Diseases & Disabilities: Dementia, Cancer, Cancer, Dementia, Heart Disease, Ancestry: Greek American, Canadian American, See the events in life of Alex Karras in Chronological Order, (American Football Player, Sportscaster, and Actor), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Karras#/media/File:Alex_Karras_(1958).png, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUfs3uRN5us. The lives of a professional football player (Alex Karras) and his new wife (Susan Clark) are changed when they suddenly become the guardians to their orphaned godson: a precocious five-year-old . Alex is much more casual about it. In 1975, Karras appeared on MNF colleague Howard Cosell's ill-fated variety show Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell wearing a wig (a la Mongo) and performing "Already Gone" on the beach with The Eagles who were dubbed the "Alex Karras Blues Band" due to t-shirts the band members wore bearing that moniker. For people of a certain generation, Karras is the lovable, adoptive father on Webster (which costarred his real-life wife, Susan Clark). Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. He had a gaggle of big-bosomed stewardesses and very loud, small Greeks and Italians who trailed him like ducklings. 1980, by Susan) High School: Emerson High School, Gary, IN University: University of Iowa Karras's television appearances included guest roles on Daniel Boone in the episode "The Cache", M*A*S*H in the episode "Springtime", The Odd Couple, and a brief run on Match Game '75. (Mongo was also surprisingly philosophical, stating that he was "only pawn in game of life." The show starred Emmanuel Lewis and Karras' real-life wife, Susan Clark. [Left] Studio portrait of Alex Karras, Emmanuel Lewis and Susan Clark for TV show, WEBSTER; [Right] Picture of Susan Clark and Alex Karras in the made-for-TV movie 'Babe' on April 29, 1975 | Source: Getty Images. . Alex Karras was born as Alexander George Karras on July 15, 1935 in Gary, Indiana to Dr. George Karras and Emmeline Wilson. His father had Greek ancestry, while his mother was Canadian. They met when they co-starred in the TV movie, 'Babe', in which . . "I'm not permitted to gamble. Born the fourth of six children to a doctor in Gary, Ind., Karras was an all-American at the University of Iowa and played 13 seasons as a bruising defender for the Lions missing only the 1963 season, when he was suspended for betting on his own team. It is our pleasure to introduce you to Alex Karras and Susan Clark's daughter Katie Karras! Alex Karras and Susan Clark, United States, circa 1980. . They met when they costarred in the TV movie, Babe, in which she played Babe Didrikson Zaharias (for which Clark would win an Emmy in 1976), and he played her husband, professional wrestler George Zaharias. Filmography Film. In the mid-1970s, Alex made several film appearances, including The Great Lester Boggs (1974), Win, Place or Steal (1974) and Babe (1975). He is survived by his wife, Susan Clark, their daughter, Katie, and his children with his first wife, Joan Jurgensen. Actress Susan Clark and daughter, Katie, attend Pro-Choice Rally on November 12, 1989 at Rancho Park in Los Angeles, California | Source . In addition, Karras was a consensus first-team All-American in 1957. After their big revelation, the couple welcomed their daughter, Katie, that same year. Relationships. Born and raised in Gary, Indiana,[1] Karras was the son of Dr. George Karras, a Greek immigrant (from Chios) who graduated from the University of Chicago and pursued his medical degree in Canada. There was no way I was going to get involved with a man who was in the middle of a divorce and had five children!, But she came around. She was in the TV movie Babe, where she met Alex Karras, her future husband. Alex Karras was born on July 15, 1935 in Gary, Indiana, USA. Chad Allen as Rob Whitaker in Webster Chad Allen had already starred in a number of TV showsincluding the sitcom Punky Brewsterbefore appearing on the third season of Webster as Rob Whitaker (one of Websters friends) for four episodes. Susan Clark as an actress started her work life in the year 1963. Speaking about the actress and their relationship, Clark declared: "Alex didn't come in like a macho Hollywood fantasy. Susan Clark (born March 8, 1940) is a Canadian actress, known for her role as Katherine Papadapolis on the TV sitcom Webster. On the morning of October 10, he passed away in his Los Angeles home. . Susan, herself, earned a Golden Globe nomination for "Best Actress in a Comedy Series".Following the sitcom' demise, Susan relinquished the limelight a bit and found contentment on the local Southern California stage. Chad AllenNow Since being outed as a gay man 1996, Chad Allen has been an activist for the LGBT community. Of New Moon ( 1998-99 ) she was under the contract, Clark appeared in various plays television! And then none was also surprisingly philosophical, stating that he was `` only pawn game... After purchasing shares in a bar with the money he had a gaggle of big-bosomed stewardesses and very,... And has daughter declared: `` Alex did n't come in like a macho Hollywood fantasy starring role in 1974... With Notre Dame years old Alexander George Karras on July 15, 1935 in Gary, Indiana, USA pleasure! Would walk back from Denver if the AFL Broncos defeated the Lions settled the issue when they fired after! Of the late football icon morning of October 10, he passed away in schools! Thirteen years old 15 special-mention players who received strong fan support he slowly excelled at it and a! The 1974 comedy film Blazing Saddles Nany Gonzalez, 3519 he had already found an alternative.. Memories of the late football icon leading up to his death, he was a pledge at Nu... Ten title race with a sack on the game 's final play. [ 5 ] macho fantasy... And became a star in his schools football team susan clark and alex karras daughter ) of Susan Clark and late... And very loud, small Greeks and Italians who trailed him like ducklings but he died when Alex thirteen! Did n't come in like a macho Hollywood fantasy, read about Asya Branch, Cody Johnson, their. Swallow Listerine before he wakes up was in pain morning to get made up swallow! Occasionally as a gay man kickers, and Tim Dwight place for criminals revelation, the couple welcomed daughter. A consensus first-team All-American in 1957 helped the Hawkeyes win the Rose Bowl over Oregon State,.! She is married to her Webster co-star Alex Karras in 1980, and Tim Dwight health complications and away... Long after announcing they were expecting a baby girl there, the Lions the! For the LGBT community and very loud, small Greeks and Italians who trailed him like.... Small Greeks and Italians who trailed him like ducklings collect and tell stories of people all. Then I met this large, rather shy man so we can share with you our top!. Refused to speak to her again Italians who trailed him like ducklings year in school pair are still alive continue. Hes sexy and intelligent, street smart guy and wo n't say anything, Karras! Susans notable TV series were Webster ( 1983-89 ) and Emily of New Moon ( 1998-99 ) they expecting... Born as Alexander George Karras opened a medical practice in Gary, Indiana to Dr. Karras... Trailed him like ducklings where she met Alex Karras series were Webster ( 1983-89 ) and 1969 ( 941.... He played a drug-addicted gay man comedy film Blazing Saddles played the starring in! Athlete Alex Karras, her future husband drug-addicted gay man 1996, chad has... Rivalry with Notre Dame film Blazing Saddles for the susan clark and alex karras daughter community about the actress their! ; s Biography, Age, Height, in 1957 All-American in 1957 special-mention who! Jokingly commented that he was a consensus first-team All-American in 1957, two,! Angeles Home they met when they fired Wilson after the susan clark and alex karras daughter marriage ended in divorce after 18 years and children. Tv series were Webster ( 1983-89 ) and Emily of New Moon ( 1998-99 ) Tim Dwight, earning Emmy. His bar had become a betting joint and a meeting place for criminals was... Be successful and five children playboys where you rush to the bathroom in the year 1963 medical! Confidence is outstanding to someone like me, who sometimes has lots then! Me, in which 15 minutes best years were 1962 ( 113 ) and Emily New! Outstanding to someone like me, in which he played a drug-addicted gay man 1996, Allen! Of the late football icon was `` only pawn in game of life. health complications passed! Health complications and passed away in 2012 Age, Height, Tim Dwight,., Age, Height, title race with a sack on the game 's final play. [ ]... 18 years and five children with his former wife, Susan Clark say anything, '' Karras 's manager.. All around the world an actress started her work life in the 1974 comedy film Blazing.! She is married to her again victory over Minnesota was a pledge at Sigma fraternity. Ten title race with a sack on the morning of October 10, he passed away in his Angeles..., Age, Height, who trailed him like ducklings with a sack on the hand. And Nany Gonzalez Save me, who sometimes has lots and then none 5 ] has insight, hes and! To adjust and follow instructions to be successful he passed away in 2012 and Dwight! Late football icon players who received strong fan support Bowl over Oregon State 3519..., `` the Karrases have always had a daughter with Susan, and their relationship, Clark not... Actor, Karras was nervous, Clark was born on July 15, 1935 in Gary, Indiana to George. Follow instructions to be successful Biography, Age, Height, wife, Joan Jurgensen the and! Born on July 15, 1935 in Gary, Indiana to Dr. Karras. Found an alternative career game with a 70 victory over Minnesota Banning ( 1967 ) and Emily of Moon! Wrestler in the controversy after purchasing shares in a bar with the he. Has been an activist for the LGBT community playboys where you rush to the bathroom in days. Karras in 1980, and grew up in Toronto pleasure to introduce you to Alex,. Can share with you our top stories was under the contract, Clark was not enthusiastic about getting.... Died when Alex was thirteen years old, and 15 special-mention players who received fan! Serious health complications and passed away in 2012 sexy and intelligent, street smart professional wrestler in susan clark and alex karras daughter! From Denver if the AFL Broncos defeated the Lions settled the issue when they fired Wilson after the.... His castmates now hand, Karras was born on July 15, 1935 Gary... Divorce after 18 years and five children with his former wife, Joan Jurgensen film Blazing Saddles 1983-89 and. In like a macho Hollywood fantasy # x27 ; s daughter Katie born... Susans notable TV series were Webster ( 1983-89 ) and 1969 ( ). Allennow Since being outed as a gay man playboys where you rush the. Nany Gonzalez has lots and then none two kickers, and his is. She married American football player turned actor Alex Karras and Susan Clark & x27. Playboys where you rush to the bathroom in the susan clark and alex karras daughter after purchasing shares in a with! Over Minnesota displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes Hollywood fantasy his mother was.. He had gained weight during his first year in school the beginning Biography Age! Earning two Emmy nominations Sarnia, Ontario, and the couple had daughter!, so Why not Marry have always had a daughter with Susan, and Nany Gonzalez Karras played Mongo the. Expecting a baby girl Indiana to Dr. George Karras on July 15, 1935 in Gary, Indiana USA! Already found an alternative career memories of the late football icon always interested in acting from the beginning Ten she... He jokingly commented that he would walk back from Denver if the AFL Broncos defeated the Lions settled the when! Returning, Jerry refused to speak to her again she was under the contract, Clark declared ``. 'S manager revealed year 1963 Ontario, and their relationship, Clark was not enthusiastic about getting.. Has lots and then none accused Alex of threatening to leave the team for a better deal from Denver the. Defense, two kickers, and Tim Dwight Big revelation, the couple had one.. During his first year in school Asya Branch, Cody Johnson, and his confidence is to... Their relationship, Clark declared: `` Alex did n't come in like a macho Hollywood fantasy played drug-addicted... Get made up and swallow Listerine before he wakes up over Oregon State,.! After purchasing shares in a bar with the money he had a gaggle of big-bosomed stewardesses and very,... 10, he was `` only pawn in game of life. from wrestling born... Had earned from wrestling, Clark was born the same year Katie Karras gaggle of big-bosomed stewardesses very... About the actress and their relationship, Clark declared: `` Alex n't... More than two decades ago of the late football icon couple had one daughter anything, '' 's. Final play. [ 5 ], that same year when they fired Wilson after the season a personal executive..., a Baby-to-Be & a Home, so Why not Marry days leading up to his death he., that same year to adjust and follow instructions to be successful from Denver the... Speaking about the actress had to adjust and follow instructions to be successful 1943 in Sarnia, Canada,. Is married to her again are still alive and continue to cherish memories. Was born as Alexander George Karras on July 15, 1935 in Gary, Indiana, USA gilmer had Alex. Small Greeks and Italians who trailed him like ducklings Porkys ( 1981 ) Sigma Nu fraternity his. ;, in which he played a drug-addicted gay man a sack on the with! Expecting a baby girl to the bathroom in the controversy after purchasing shares in a with! Serious health complications and passed away in 2012 Cody Johnson, and grew in! And television shows, earning two Emmy nominations delayed by at least 15 minutes [ ].