As one of the most talked-about figures, Cleavon Little has built a significant fortune. In this article, we dive deep into the assets and career highlights.

What Was Cleavon Little's Net Worth?

Cleavon Little was an American stage, film, and television actor who had a net worth of $2 million at the time of his death in 1992. Cleavon Little began his career onstage in the late 1960s. He went on to star in the Broadway production of "Purlie" in 1970 and won both a Tony Desk and a Drama Desk Award. He also appeared on the sitcom "Temperature Rising" and in the film "Blazing Saddles," among many other productions. Little passed away in 1992 and was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.

Early Life

Cleavon Little was born on June 1, 1939, in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He was raised in San Diego, California, with two brothers and two sisters, including singer DeEtta Little West, who performed vocals on the song "Gonna Fly Now," the main theme to "Rocky." Little attended Kearny High School and graduated in 1957. He then enrolled at San Diego State College and earned a degree in speech therapy in 1965. By that time, he had already begun acting as he appeared in "A Raisin in the Sun" in 1962 at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. During college, Cleavon worked as a janitor in order to earn enough money to support himself. He also gave poetry readings and presentations about Black poetry to various clubs and groups on campus. He then won a scholarship from the American Broadcasting Company to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He was named the best actor in the class of 1967.

(Photo by Warner Bros./Courtesy of Getty Images)

Career

Little made his professional debut in February 1967, appearing off-Broadway at the Village Gate in the original production of Barbara Garson's MacBird. This was followed by the role of Foxtrot in the original production of Bruce Jay Friedman's long-running play "Scuba Duba" which premiered in October 1967. At the time, Cleavon was also portraying Hamlet during the days at schools and parks on behalf of the New York Shakespeare Festival.

In 1968, Little made his first film appearance in a small uncredited role in "What's So Bad About Feeling Good?" He also made his first television appearance as a guest star on two episodes of "Felony Squad." He then had roles in the films "John and Mary" and "Cotton Comes to Harlem" in 1969 and 1970, respectively.

Ultimately, Cleavon Little's financial journey is a testament to their success.

Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.