Cloris Leachman - Actor Profile

Cloris Leachman

Acting
Updated: May 08, 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 100% 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 Manna from Heaven, 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 →
2018 Lez Bomb Josephine Hit Similar →
2018 I Can Only Imagine Memaw Super Hit Similar →
2016 A Wig and a Prayer: The Peaches Christ Story Self Hit Similar →
2015 Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration Self / Phyllis Lindstrom (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2015 Unity Narrator (voice) Super 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 →
2009 Love Takes Wing Hattie Clarence Hit Similar →
2008 Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget Self Hit Similar →
2005 The Longest Yard Lynette Hit Similar →
2002 Manna from Heaven Helen Super Hit Similar →
2002 The Mary Tyler Moore Reunion Self Super Hit Similar →
1999 Music of the Heart Assunta Hit Similar →
1999 The Iron Giant Mrs. Lynley Tensedge (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1999 The Last Picture Show: A Look Back Self Super Hit Similar →
1999 The Titanic Chronicles (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1998 Skip Chasers - Super Hit Similar →
1996 Making Frankensense of Young Frankenstein Frau Blücher (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1995 Now and Then Grandma Albertson Hit Similar →
1995 Nobody's Girls: Five Women of the West Laura Evans Super Hit Similar →
1995 Between Love and Honor Anna Collura Super Hit Similar →
1993 Spies Pamela Beale Super Hit Similar →
1991 Picture This Self Super Hit Similar →
1991 Mary Tyler Moore: The 20th Anniversary Show Herself Hit Similar →
1988 Hansel and Gretel Griselda the Witch Hit Similar →
1987 The Little Troll Prince Queen Sirena Hit Similar →
1984 Donald Duck's 50th Birthday Self Hit Similar →
1983 The Woman Who Willed a Miracle May Lemke Super Hit Similar →
1981 History of the World: Part I Madame Defarge Hit Similar →
1980 Yesterday Mrs Kramer Super Hit Similar →
1979 Mrs. R's Daughter Ruth Rendell Super Hit Similar →
1979 The Muppet Movie Lord's Secretary Hit Similar →
1978 Long Journey Back Laura Casella Hit Similar →
1976 The Love Boat Iris Havlicek Super Hit Similar →
1976 Telly... Who Loves Ya, Baby? Self Super Hit Similar →
1974 Young Frankenstein Frau Blücher Super Hit Similar →
1974 Hitchhike! Claire Stevens Super Hit Similar →
1973 Dillinger Anna Sage Hit Similar →
1973 Crime Club Hilary Kelton Super Hit Similar →
1973 A Brand New Life Victoria Douglas Super Hit Similar →
1972 Of Thee I Sing Mary Turner 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 →
1955 Life of Vernon Hathaway Irma 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 "Manna from Heaven" 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 "Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration", "Crime Club", and "Spies".

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