Actor Carol Arthur DeLuise, widow of Dom DeLuise, dies at 85

LOS ANGELES » Carol Arthur DeLuise, an actor who appeared in several Mel Brooks films and was the widow of Dom DeLuise, has died. She was 85. A family statement said DeLuise died Sunday in Los Angeles after an 11-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. One of her most memorable roles was in Brooks’ “Blazing Saddles,” as Harriet Johnson, a schoolmarm who is among the residents of a Western town offended when a Black sheriff is appointed. In one scene, she starts out soft-spoken before loudly, and profanely, assailing the officials who appointed the new sheriff, played by Cleavon Little.

“She was so great in Blazing Saddles as Harriett Johnson the over-the-top, outspoken schoolmarm,” Brooks tweeted. “She will be missed.”