Photo: Voice Chasers / CC BY 2.5 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Cloris Leachman might be the most fearless comic actress America ever produced. Eight Emmys, tied for the most acting Emmys in history, plus an Oscar for a devastating dramatic turn: that is a range most performers cannot even fantasize about. What I love is that she never aged into dignity; she aged into mischief, throwing herself into physical comedy deep into her later years. A nine-decade career took her from Des Moines to Hollywood immortality, and she seemed to relish every undignified minute. For my money, she is living proof that comedy done with total commitment outlasts every fashion.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Cloris Leachman
- Name (Japanese)
- クロリス・リーチマン
- Reading
- くろりす・りーちまん
- Born
- April 30, 1926 – January 27, 2021
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Taurus / Tiger
- Origin
- Des Moines, Iowa, United States
- Occupation
- actor / dancer / voice actor / character actor / stage actor
2. Background
- High school
- Theodore Roosevelt High School
- University
- Illinois State University
Awards & achievements
- 1972 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
- 1951 Theatre World Award
- 1970 Golden Plate Award
- 1973 BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- 1974 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
- 2002 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
- 2006 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
- 1998 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | The Mary Tyler Moore Show | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Cloris Leachman born?
April 30, 1926 – January 27, 2021.
Where is Cloris Leachman from?
Cloris Leachman is from Des Moines, Iowa, United States.
What does Cloris Leachman do?
Cloris Leachman works as actor, dancer, voice actor, character actor, stage actor.
What is Cloris Leachman known for?
Notable works include The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Actor — see all → · Dancer — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-11
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.