In the movie Blazing Saddles, which actor played the role of The Waco Kid?

Gene Wilder played the role of the western gunslinger called "The Waco Kid" in the movie Blazing Saddles, a 1974 satirical Western comedy film directed by Mel Brooks.The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, and is ranked No. 6 on the American Film Institute's 100 Years...100 Laughs list.

The film satirizes the racism that was obscured by the myth-making Hollywood accounts of the American West, with the hero being a black sheriff in an all-white town.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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60 Comments

William Laughlin

Gene Wilder wasn't Mel Brooks' first, second, third, or even fourth choice for the role. He first asked Dan Dailey who turned down the role, then John Wayne who loved the script, but said it was too dirty for him to be in. Then Johnny Carson turned it down. Gig Young was then given the role, but his alcoholism made it impossible to keep filming. The role finally went to Wilder who wanted it from the beginning.

dougwerner

Hold on a second while I whip this out.....freaking hilarious.

Kelly Taylor

My favorite movie of all time

paulress

...and the Indians on the early scenes are speaking Yiddish... Classic Mel Brooks

Jacqueline Tattam

williamrlaughlin, thank you for that extra background information - fascinating to imagine any of Brooks’ initial choices in the role!

George Oliver Prince

Mel Brooks once said if he'd made all the cuts the studio wanted to make, the movie would have been about 15 minutes long

Andrew Bencomo

So racist and "offensive" (on purpose to prove a point), but absolutely hilarious!!!

Don Woodworth

williamrlaughlin, Love Mel Brook's comment on Gig Young. "That;s the last time I hire a drunk to play a drunk."

Chris Braid

williamrlaughlin, knew the Duke turned the role down but not the rest. Thank you for that info. I simply cannot eat baked beans without thinking of this film!

Evelyn Baker

I'M, SO, TIRED!

Anabelleandonly

Loved that movie.Would be banned today.Can't we get back to humor instead of racism against EVERYONE!!

✨KRISTA✨

One of my dad's favorite ❤️ films 🎬.

Trevor Hiscock

William Laughlin, Thanks William,good info!

Chris Brown

One of my favourite movies.

myers nj

Madeline Khan was it for me! I laughed a hard I couldn't breathe!...they jump on your belly and burst your balloon!😂😂

Player8THE DONK

To enter "knock on barbed wire" camp fire scene.

Michael J. Kingsbury

I offer a Laurel and Hardy handshake for this question.

joycekingsmith

I took my children to a drive-in movie to see "Blazing Saddles". It was hot weather so we opened the doors. The boys fell out of the doors on the ground laughing. I laughed 'til l cried. Even the babies laughed. I took them to see it because THEY liked it but l enjoyed it too. And l don't like comedies as a rule.