One degree of Blazing Saddles

Watching Mel Brooks' legendary 1974 comedy Blazing Saddles today, something struck me like a punch to the horse's mouth: The number of bit players who had memorable roles elsewhere.

Consider ...

-David Huddleston as Olson Johnson ...



... and, later, as The Big Lebowski himself.



-Or John Hillerman as Howard Johnson ...


... and, in the same year, as a shady executive in Chinatown:


-George Furth as Van Johnson ...


... the year after he played, uh, this guy in Sleeper:



-And then there's Alex Karras, as Mongo ...



... and, of course, as a four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle with the Detroit Lions.