Alex Karras Said to Be Near Death

By Stephen M. Silverman

10/10/2012 at 09:05 AM EDT

Alex Karras (left) and Emmauel Lewis, in Webster

ABC/Getty

Webster star Alex Karras, who began his career as a football hero for the Detroit Lions, is said to be near death in his Los Angeles home, reports the Detroit Free Press .

The newspaper says Karras, 77, is suffering from kidney failure and is surrounded by his wife (and Webster costar), Susan Clark, and children, George, Alex Jr., Katie and Peter.

Lions president Tom Lewand released the following statement: "The entire Detroit Lions family is deeply saddened to learn of the news regarding the condition of one of our all-time greats, Alex Karras. Perhaps no player in Lions history attained as much success and notoriety for what he did after his playing days as did Alex."

Karras, a much-adored figure, was known as "The Mad Duck" in his football days. Besides TV's Webster, he also scored in a wide array of movie roles, including those in the comedies Blazing Saddles and Victor/Victoria.

In recent years he has suffered a variety of health problems, including dementia and cancer, and, as the Free Press reports, he is a participant in the mass concussion lawsuit more than 3,000 former players filed earlier this year against the National Football League.