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Cloris Leachman Biography

Birth Name:Cloris Leachman

Birth Place:Des Moines, Iowa, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • An animal rights advocate, she has appeared in various campaigns for PETA, including posing nude in a 2009 ad
  • Awarded an honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from Drake University in 2006
  • After majoring in drama at Northwestern University, she was seen on television after competing in the Miss America pageant in 1946
  • Quote: "If you know how bad things are and you do what you have to do, that would be courage․"
  • A diverse actress whose characters range from dramatic, such as in "The Last Picture Show," to comically senile, such as in "Raising Hope․"
  • Known for the distinct speaking voice that she possesses
  • Was a former neighbor of Judy Garland during the early 1960s, and would act as a second-mother to Garland's children whenever they felt there was turmoil at home
  • Broke the record for most Emmy wins by any actor after winning her eighth in 2006 for her work on "Malcolm in the Middle․"
  • Is one of only two actors to play in both the original "Twilight Zone" in 1961 and the show's second television revival in 2003
  • All five of her children entered show business like their parents

Awards

  • 1971NBR Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 1971NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1972Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 1972Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1972KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 1972NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1972Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Comedy: nominated
  • 1973BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 1973Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Comedy: nominated
  • 1973Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1974Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1974Primetime Emmy-Best Lead Actress in a Drama: nominated
  • 1974Primetime Emmy-Best Supporting Actress in Comedy: winner
  • 1975Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1975Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music: winner
  • 1975Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series: winner
  • 1976Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 1976Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 1983Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming: winner
  • 1984Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
  • 1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2001Gemini-Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role in a Dramatic Series: nominated
  • 2001OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2002OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2003OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2003TV Land Award-Nosiest Neighbor: nominated
  • 2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2004Groundbreaking Show-: winner
  • 2005Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2005Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actress: nominated
  • 2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2005Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2006Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2006OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2006OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
  • 2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2006Stinker Award-Worst Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2006Stinker Award-Most Annoying Fake Accent: Female: nominated
  • 2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2009Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actress of the Decade: nominated
  • 2011OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2013WIN Award-Outstanding Actress Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2014BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Female Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2014BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2021FilmOut Festival Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2021Special Mention-International Narrative Feature - Performance: winner
  • 2021Jury Award-Outstanding Performance: winner
  • 2022Film Festival Award-Best Drama: winner
  • 2022Platinum Award-Best Performance: winner
  • 2022Special Jury Prize-Outstanding Achievement: winner
  • 2022Out of the Can Award-Best Actress: winner