Cloris Leachman, Oscar-Winning Actress Dead At 94

Celeb news reveals that Oscar Award winning actress Cloris Leachman has died. The Mary Tyler Moore star passed away of natural causes at her home in Encinitas, California on January 27.

Her manager Juliet Green confirmed the news to HollywoodLife. Cloris appeared on The Facts Of Life, Raising Hope, Malcolm in the Middle, and perhaps is best known for her role as Phyllis Lindstrom on The Mary Tyler Moore Show which earned her a spinoff series, Phyllis.

Cloris Leachman News: The Oscar-Winning Actress Has Died

Green released the following statement: “Beloved Oscar and multi-Emmy winning actress of stage, film and television, Cloris Leachman passed away today, January 27, 2021 of natural causes at the age of 94 in Encinitas, CA.”

“It’s been my privilege to work with Cloris Leachman, one of the most fearless actresses of our time. There was no one like Cloris. With a single look she had the ability to break your heart or make you laugh ’till the tears ran down your face. You never knew what Cloris was going to say or do and that unpredictable quality was part of her unparalleled magic.”

She added that Cloris, “loved her children and her grandchildren ferociously. A lifelong vegetarian, she was a passionate advocate for animal rights. The family requests that any donations in her name be made to PETA or Last Chance for Animals.”

Cloris Leachman News: The Mary Tyler Moore Star Has Passed Away

Cloris’ son told TMZ, “She had the best life beginning to end that you could wish for someone. She left everyone with a lot of love.” The actress was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa on April 30, 1926 and graduated from Northwestern University in 1946. In her early career, she appeared on both radio and television programs like Suspense, The Ford Radio Hour, The Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, and Lassie.

The actress told the Arizona Daily Sun in 2017, “I did a lot of live television in those early days. That was always an adventure. I’ve won more Emmy Awards than any other actress on TV … those roles are my favorites.”

Her film credits are just as impressive and include The Rack, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety, History of the World: Part I, and The Last Picture Show, for which she won her

Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

“I was so surprised the night of the Oscars,” she said. “I never expected to win … but I sure was glad that I did. I still tell Peter [Bogdanovich, the director] I could have done even better in that last scene in Picture Show, but he didn’t want to reshoot it. He used the first take.”

Cloris Leachman News: She Won an Oscar For The Last Picture Show

Cloris was married to George Englund from 1953 to 1979. She had five children and has six grandchildren.

Cloris will be missed by her many fans and former coworkers as well as his family and friend. Our condolences go out to everyone involved.

RIP Cloris Leachman!

Photo credit: Deposit Photo