Cloris Leachman was born on April 30, 1926 in Des Moines, Iowa and went on to study drama at Illinois State University and Northwestern University. She was crowned Miss Chicago in August 1946 and competed in the Miss America pageant, earning a scholarship which helped her study at the Actors Studio.
Cloris Leachman is a well-known actress, known for her extensive career spanning over seven decades. She won nine Emmy Awards and an Academy Award for her role in The Last Picture Show (1971). She is also recognized for her role as Phyllis Lindstrom on the sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-off, Phillis. She has appeared in many films and television shows and recently played the role of Zorya Vechernyaya on the Starz drama American Gods.
Cloris Leachman passed away on January 27, 2021 at the age of 94. She passed away in her sleep from natural causes at her home in Encinitas, California. Her manager, Juliet Green, remembered her as a fearless actress with the ability to evoke emotion with a single look and praised her unpredictable nature as part of her magic.
