Profile of the Day: Cloris Leachman

Posted January 28, 2021 by Amanda | No Comment

Today we remember actress Cloris Leachman, who has passed away at the age of 94. A comedy legend, Leachman is perhaps best remembered as Phyllis Lindstrom on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Image: Cloris Leachman / Wikimedia Commons

Leachman was born on April 30, 1926 in Des Moines, Iowa to Berkeley Claiborne Leachman and Cloris Wallace. The eldest of three daughters, Leachman first entered the spotlight after competing in Miss America in 1946. After winning a scholarship in the pageant, she moved to New York City to study acting.

With a career that spanned over seven decades, Leachman won many accolades for her dramatic and comedic work on the big and small screens. In 1972, she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Last Picture Show. A talented comedian, Leachman also appeared in three Mel Brooks films, including Young Frankenstein.

In 1970, she was cast as Phyllis Lindstrom in the hit sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The role would lead her to star in her own spinoff series Phyllis in 1975. Her work on television earned her 22 Emmy nominations, a record for most nominations, and 8 wins, making her the most awarded performer along with Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

What’s your favorite role?

Explore Cloris Leachman’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re connected to the legendary actress.