Actress Carol Arthur, known for her work in several Mel Brooks movies, died on November 1, 2020 after a long fight with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 85 years old.

Arthur is best known for her role in Brooks’ Blazing Saddles as Rock Ridge school teacher Harriett Van Johnson. She performed on Broadway with the likes of Lauren Bacall and was married to comedic actor Dom DeLuise.

Her work with Brooks also included playing the Pregnant Lady in Silent Movie, she played a complaining villager in Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and played another villager in Dracula: Dead and Loving It.

Arthur was born on August 4, 1935 in Hackensack, New Jersey. She attended the Feagin School of Dramatic Radio and Arts and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She joined the Broadway ranks in 1964 in High Spirits and later in 1980 she was in The Music Man with Dick Van Dyke.

Her onscreen work began with an episode of Arnie in 1971. Her credits include Our Time, Sanford and Son, Rhoda, Hot Stuff, St. Elsewhere, The Princess and the Dwarf, The Godson, and her final role was an episode of 7th Heaven in 2004.