Cloris Leachman - Actor Profile

Cloris Leachman

Acting
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Apr 30, 1926
Birth Place: Des Moines, Iowa, USA

About Cloris Leachman

Cloris Leachman (April 30, 1926 – January 26, 2021) was an American actress and comedian, whose career spanned over seven decades. She won various accolades, including eight Primetime Emmy Awards from 22 nominations, making her the most nominated and, along with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, most awarded actress in Emmy history. In addition, she won an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Daytime Emmy Award. Leachman's breakthrough role was the nosy and cunning landlady Phyllis Lindstrom in the landmark CBS sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–75), for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1974 and 1975; its spin-off, Phyllis (1975–77), earned her the Golden Globe Award for Best TV Actress – Musical or Comedy.

Cloris Leachman Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Cloris Leachman reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Cloris Leachman's work falls within the Comedy genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 86% of Cloris Leachman's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Cloris Leachman Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Cloris Leachman's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Cloris Leachman has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2021 Not to Forget Donna Hit Similar →
2021 Dear Diary: World's First Pranks Gran (voice) Hit Similar →
2020 The Croods: A New Age Gran (voice) Hit Similar →
2020 When We Last Spoke Itasca Hit Similar →
2018 Lez Bomb Josephine Hit Similar →
2018 I Can Only Imagine Memaw Super Hit Similar →
2016 So B. It Alice Wilinsky Hit Similar →
2016 A Wig and a Prayer: The Peaches Christ Story Self Hit Similar →
2015 Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse Miss Fielder Hit Similar →
2015 Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration Self / Phyllis Lindstrom (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2015 Unity Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2015 The Wedding Ringer Grandma Palmer Hit Similar →
2014 Phineas and Ferb: Night of the Living Pharmacists Mrs. Feyersied (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2013 Mel Brooks: Make a Noise Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2013 The Croods Gran (voice) Hit Similar →
2010 You Again Helen (uncredited) Average Similar →
2009 Love Takes Wing Hattie Clarence Hit Similar →
2008 Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget Self Hit Similar →
2005 Sky High Nurse Spex Average Similar →
2005 The Longest Yard Lynette Hit Similar →
2003 Bad Santa Grandma (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1999 Music of the Heart Assunta Hit Similar →
1999 The Iron Giant Mrs. Lynley Tensedge (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1999 Die letzte Vorstellung: Ein Rückblick Self Hit Similar →
1999 The Titanic Chronicles (voice) Hit Similar →
1997 Annabelle's Wish Aunt Agnes (voice) Hit Similar →
1996 Beavis and Butt-Head Do America Old Woman On Plane and Bus (voice) Hit Similar →
1996 Making Frankensense of Young Frankenstein Frau Blücher (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1995 Now and Then Grandma Albertson Hit Similar →
1993 Double, Double, Toil and Trouble Aunt Agatha / Aunt Sofia Average Similar →
1993 The Beverly Hillbillies Granny Average Similar →
1991 Picture This Self Super Hit Similar →
1988 Hansel and Gretel Griselda the Witch Hit Similar →
1987 The Little Troll Prince Queen Sirena Hit Similar →
1985 Deadly Intentions Charlotte Raynor Average Similar →
1983 The Woman Who Willed a Miracle May Lemke Super Hit Similar →
1981 History of the World: Part I Madame Defarge Hit Similar →
1979 The Muppet Movie Lord's Secretary Hit Similar →
1977 High Anxiety Nurse Charlotte Diesel Average Similar →
1975 Death Scream Mrs. Singleton Hit Similar →
1974 Young Frankenstein Frau Blücher Super Hit Similar →
1974 Daisy Miller Mrs. Ezra Miller Average Similar →
1974 Hitchhike! Claire Stevens Super Hit Similar →
1973 Dying Room Only Jean Mitchell Hit Similar →
1973 Dillinger Anna Sage Hit Similar →
1971 The Last Picture Show Ruth Popper Super Hit Similar →
1969 Silent Night, Lonely Night Ginny Hit Similar →
1969 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Agnes Super Hit Similar →
1956 The Rack Caroline Hit Similar →
1955 Kiss Me Deadly Christina Bailey Hit Similar →

Cloris Leachman - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Cloris Leachman?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Cloris Leachman is "Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Cloris Leachman acted in?

Cloris Leachman has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Cloris Leachman?

Other notable films include "The Woman Who Willed a Miracle", "Picture This", and "Making Frankensense of Young Frankenstein".

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