The actor gained attention later in life on “Dancing with the Stars”.
Cloris Leachman, the versatile Oscar-winning actress whose career in stage, television and film spanned more than seven decades, has died at the age of 94.
“It was my privilege to work with Cloris Leachman, one of the most fearless actresses of our time,” her longtime manager Juliet Green said in a statement. “There was no one like Cloris. With one glance, it had the ability to break your heart or make you laugh until tears ran down your face. You never knew what Cloris would say or do, and that unpredictable quality was part of her unparalleled magic. “
“She fiercely loved her children and grandchildren. A lifelong vegetarian, she was a passionate advocate for animal rights,” Green added. “The family requests that any donations in her name be made to PETA or Last Chance for Animals.”
Green said Leachman died of natural causes in Encinitas, California.
Leachman, equally skilled in comedy and drama, was probably best known for her TV roles in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Phyllis,” as well as “The Facts of Life,” “Malcolm in the Middle.” and “Raising Hope.” She won eight Emmy Awards – tied with Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She also won an Emmy of the Day.
On the big screen, she won the Academy Award for her role as the gymnast’s neglected wife in The Last Picture Show in 1971. She also appeared in three of Mel Brooks’ films, “Young Frankenstein,” “High Anxiety” and ” History of the World: Part I. ” And she played Daisy May Moses in the 1993 version of The Beverly Hillbillies.
Leachman was introduced to a new generation of fans when she became the oldest contestant on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” in 2008. Along with professional dancer Corky Ballas, she was then 82 years old. Her appearance led to an increase in new TV and film roles, including the role of Maw Maw in the Fox sitcom “Raising Hope” from 2010 to 2014.
Leachman was born on April 30, 1926, the eldest of three sisters in Des Moines, Iowa. He began acting as a child and later studied drama at Northwestern University in Illinois with friends Charlotte Rae and Paul Lynde.
After graduating from high school, Leachman enrolled at Illinois State University to study drama, and later at Northwestern University, where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta. After winning a scholarship to the Miss America pageant, she moved to New York to study acting under the direction of Elia Kazan at Actors Studio and was immediately cast on Broadway and in film.
Since the 1950s, she has appeared on many TV shows, including a brief stint as Timmy’s mother in the original “Lassie.” Her role as Mary Tyler Moore’s curious and manipulative landlady, Phyllis Lindstrom, made her a star.
In addition to her acting career, Leachman raised five children – four sons and a daughter – with director George Englund. Leachman and Englund were married for 26 years, before divorcing in 1979. Leachman never remarried and is survived by four of her children and several grandchildren.