Mongo Say Bye-Bye

Dear Film Gabbers, it is with a heavy heart that we here at Film Gab bid adieu to someone very near and dear to us. Football player and character actor Alex Karras has passed away at the age of 77. While many might think of him as Webster's dad from the diminutive 80's television hit, or the horse-punching cretin Mongo from Blazing Saddles (1974), he was especially memorable to many of us 80's gays as the burly Chicago bodyguard Squash Bernstein who dares to be himself and come out of the closet in the beloved gender-bending comedy Victor Victoria (1982).  

Although built like a bear, Karras' characters always wound up exposing their lovable side, making him one of those unexpected joys to watch. Here's to you and Toddy sharing some champagne in Heaven!