Burton Gilliam Biography

Burton Gilliam achieved fame long before his film career, setting the record for most wins as a Golden Gloves boxer. Gilliam worked as a fireman in Dallas before turning to acting in the early 1970s. His toothy grin, braying voice and village-buffoon demeanor was effectively harnessed for such roles as the night clerk who "compromises" buxom bimbo Trixie Delight (${Madeline Kahn}) in Paper Moon (1974), the chain-gang boss in Blazing Saddles (1975) and the leader of the "Flying Elvises" in Honeymoon in Vegas (1992). On TV, Burton Gilliam was seen as Virgie on Evening Shade (1992) and as one of the "This stuff's made in New York City!" kvetchers on the popular Pace's Picante Sauce commercials. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

• 1. Colt Gun Salesman: Where'd you learn to shoot like that?
  2. Marty McFly: The 7-11.
  From Back to the Future Part III. Submitted by David G (2 months ago)

• 1. Lyle: Come on, boys. Where's your spirit? I don't hear no singing. When you was slaves, you sang like birds. Come on, how about a gold ole nigger work song?
  2. Bart: I get no kick from champagne. [back up singers vocalize] 'Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all So tell me why should it be true That I get a belt out of you. [back up singers throw some rhythm into it] Some get a kick from cocaine.
  3. Lyle: Hold it, hold it. What the hell is that shit? I meant a song. A real song. Something like, Swing low Sweet chariot. [the workers don't have a clue] Don't know that one, huh? How about "De Camptown Ladies?
  4. Bart: De Camptown Ladies? [other workers echo what Bart said].
  5. Lyle: Yeah. You know. De Camptown ladies sing this song Doo dah doo dah De Camptown race is five miles long Oh the doo dah day [joined by all his cohorts] Going to run all night, going to run all day I'd wage my money on a bobtail nag Somebody bet on the bay Going to run all night, going to run all day I wage my money on a bobtail nag [GUNSHOT in the distance]
  6. Taggart: [rides up] What in the wide world of sports is a-goin' on here? I hired you people to get a little track laid.
  From Blazing Saddles. Submitted by Jordan P (3 months ago)

• 1. Lyle: Come on, boys! The way you're lollygaggin' around here with them picks and shovels, you'd think it was 120 degrees. Can't be more than 114. [his friends laugh, and a Chinaman falls over from exhaustion] Dock that Chink a day's pay for nappin' on the job.
  From Blazing Saddles. Submitted by Jordan P (4 months ago)