Beans Morocco, the actor best known for his comedic roles in “Blazing Saddles,” “Used Cars,” “Eating Raoul,” and more, has died. He was 90.
Morocco died on May 29 in Bakersfield, California, his friend Ryan Wise told The Hollywood Reporter. No cause of death was shared.
“He was always performing, always entertaining, and he made everyone feel good,” Wise said.
Born Daniel Barrows in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 8, 1934, he first performed under his birth name before adopting his stage name of Beans Morocco in the late 1980s. One of his first on-screen roles came in 1974 as one of the Rock Ridge townsfolk in satirical comedy “Blazing Saddles,” according to IMDb. He also had notable roles appearing alongside Kurt Russell in 1980’s “Used Cars,” and Mary Woronov in 1982’s “Eating Raoul.”
Additional film credits for Morocco include “Any Which Way You Can,” directed by Clint Eastwood, “New Nightmare,” directed by Wes Craven, and “The American President,” directed by Rob Reiner. He also appeared in episodes of “Mork & Mindy,” “Eight is Enough,” “Laverne & Shirley,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” and more.
His final acting role came as Cookie in the comedy film “Killing Cookie,” directed and written by Wise.
Morocco graduated from Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati and attended Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, according to THR. He later served in the U.S. Navy, became a pilot, and flew private planes for many years.
Morocco is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Diane, his sister, Nancy, and his cousins, Gail and William. His son, Justin, died in March 2024 at 37.