Cloris Leachman Biography: Spouse, Age, Net Worth, Parents, Instagram, Wikipedia, Height, Movie

Cloris Leachman was a legendary American actress and comedian whose career spanned over seven decades, leaving an indelible mark on film, television, and theater.

She rose from Midwest roots to become one of Hollywood’s most versatile performers, known for her roles as Phyllis Lindstrom in The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977) and its spin-off Phyllis (1975–1977), as well as Frau Blücher in Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein (1974).

Profile

• Full Name: Cloris Leachman
• Stage Name: Cloris Leachman
• Born: April 30, 1926
• Died: January 27, 2021 (age 94)
• Birthplace: Des Moines, Iowa, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress, Comedian
• Height: 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm)
• Religion: Christianity
• Parents: Berkeley Claiborne Leachman, Cloris Wallace
• Siblings: Claiborne Cary
• Spouse: George Englund (M. 1953–1979)
• Children: Adam Englund, Bryan Englund, George Englund Jr., Morgan Englund, Dinah Englund
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: $10 million

Early Life & Education

Cloris Leachman was born on April 30, 1926, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Berkeley Claiborne Leachman, a lumber company owner, and Cloris Wallace, a homemaker.

Raised in a tight-knit family, she grew up with two sisters, including Claiborne Cary, who also became an actress.

Her ethnicity was Caucasian, with English and Czech (Bohemian) ancestry, and she was raised in a Christian household, attending church regularly.

Cloris Leachman attended Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, graduating in 1944. She briefly studied drama at Northwestern University in Illinois on a scholarship but left to pursue acting professionally after competing in the 1946 Miss America pageant as Miss Chicago.

She later trained at the Actors Studio in New York City under Elia Kazan, honing her craft alongside stars like Marlon Brando. This practical training shaped her versatile acting style.

Career

Cloris Leachman’s career began in theater, with early roles in Broadway productions like South Pacific (1947) and As You Like It (1950). She made her TV debut in 1948 on The Ford Theatre Hour and her film debut in Carnegie Hall (1947).

Her breakout came as Phyllis Lindstrom on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977), earning her two Emmy Awards, followed by the spin-off series Phyllis (1975–1977).

Her iconic role as Frau Blücher in Young Frankenstein (1974) showcased her comedic genius, while her dramatic performance as Ruth Popper in The Last Picture Show (1971) won her an Oscar.

Cloris appeared in other Mel Brooks films like High Anxiety (1977) and History of the World, Part I (1981).

Her TV credits include Lassie (1957–1958), The Facts of Life (1986–1988) as Beverly Ann Stickle, and Malcolm in the Middle (2001–2006) as Grandma Ida, earning another Emmy nomination.

She voiced characters in animated films like The Iron Giant (1999) and The Croods (2013). At 82, she competed on Dancing with the Stars (2008), becoming a fan favorite.

Her final roles included American Gods (2017) and Jump, Darling (2020). Cloris’s unmatched versatility made her a Hollywood icon.

Social Media

She does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Cloris Leachman, who lived to 94, spent her later years in Encinitas, California. She stood at 5 feet 7 inches tall, with striking blonde hair and blue eyes that lit up the screen.

She married producer George Englund in 1953, and they had five children: Adam, Bryan, George Jr., Morgan, and Dinah.

The couple divorced in 1979 but remained close until George died in 2017. Cloris never remarried and was single at the time of her passing in 2021.

She adored her family, often sharing stories about her kids, though she faced tragedy with the loss of her son Bryan to a drug overdose in 1986.

A vegetarian for much of her life, Cloris was an animal lover and supported PETA. She enjoyed dancing, gardening, and playing the piano.

A fun memory: During the filming of Young Frankenstein, she improvised a line that made Mel Brooks laugh so hard that he kept it in the movie. Cloris’s zest for life and love for her craft shone through in everything she did.

Net Worth

Cloris Leachman’s estimated net worth was around $10 million at the time of her passing in 2021.

Her wealth came from her extensive acting career in film, TV, and theater, including high-profile roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Young Frankenstein, and The Last Picture Show.

Additional income came from voice work, endorsements, and residuals from her iconic roles. Her long career and smart investments ensured financial stability.

Filmography

• Carnegie Hall (1947) – Dancing Girl
• Kiss Me Deadly (1955) – Christina Bailey
• The Last Picture Show (1971) – Ruth Popper
• Young Frankenstein (1974) – Frau Blücher
• High Anxiety (1977) – Nurse Diesel
• History of the World, Part I (1981) – Madame Defarge
• The Iron Giant (1999) – Mrs. Tensedge (voice)
• Spanglish (2004) – Evelyn Wright
• The Longest Yard (2005) – Lynette
• The Croods (2013) – Gran (voice)
• The Comedian (2016) – May Connor
• Jump, Darling (2020) – Margaret
• Lassie (1957–1958) – Ruth Martin (TV series)
• The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977) – Phyllis Lindstrom (TV series)
• Phyllis (1975–1977) – Phyllis Lindstrom (TV series)
• The Facts of Life (1986–1988) – Beverly Ann Stickle (TV series)
• Malcolm in the Middle (2001–2006) – Grandma Ida (TV series, recurring)
• American Gods (2017) – Zorya Vechernyaya (TV series)