Let me tell you about one of the most unforgettable figures in Hollywood history—Cloris Leachman. Sure, she dazzled us with her talent on screen, but off-screen, she was something else entirely. Cloris wasn’t just a star; she was a fiercely loving mom to five kids. Her legacy lives on not only through her incredible performances but also through the family she cherished so deeply. When she passed away at the age of 94 in January 2021, it felt like losing a piece of cinematic history.
Her Family Life: Love Beyond the Spotlight
Cloris shared her life and heart with five beautiful children—Bryan, Morgan, Adam, Dinah, and George—all with her ex-husband, George Englund. They tied the knot in April 1953, and for 26 years, they built a life together before deciding to part ways in 1979. But here's the kicker: despite their divorce, they stayed on great terms because their kids were their priority. That's what real love looks like, folks.
Cloris' Unpredictable Charm
Cloris was nothing if not full of surprises. You never knew what she was going to say or do next, and that unpredictability was part of what made her so enchanting. Her longtime manager, Juliet Green, captured this perfectly when she said, "You never knew what Cloris was going to say or do and that unpredictable quality was part of her unparalleled magic." But beyond her wit and charm, Cloris had a softer side. She loved her children and grandchildren with every fiber of her being. Her devotion to them was unwavering, even in the face of heartbreak.
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A Tragic Loss: The Passing of Bryan
Life wasn’t always easy for Cloris. In 1986, tragedy struck when her son Bryan passed away from an overdose of ulcer medication at the young age of 30. It was a devastating blow that shook both Cloris and George to their cores. In an emotional interview, Cloris opened up about the pain of losing her child. "I think about him a lot, more than I used to," she revealed. "It had a big impact on our family. We each had our own relationship with him, so it’s not as if we can talk about it and share. We don’t share; it’s just private." Her words paint a picture of a mother who carried her grief privately, honoring her son's memory in her own way.
A Career That Shone Brighter Than Any Star
Now, let's talk about Cloris' career because it was nothing short of extraordinary. She didn't set out to become a Hollywood legend. In fact, stardom wasn't even on her radar. "It wasn’t, 'Oh, I want to be a star. Oh, Hollywood!' ever," she once told Entertainment Tonight. "It was different from that. It was just something that developed." But fate had other plans for her. After meeting a psychic who read her palm, Cloris was convinced of her destiny. "She read my palm and I remember the words. Absolutely these words, 'Someday, you will be before millions of people,'" she recalled. At the time, there wasn't even television, so the idea seemed impossible. Yet, here she was, shining brighter than anyone could have imagined.
Her Iconic Roles: From Phyllis to Phyllis
Cloris' resume is a who's who of classic television and film. She played the unforgettable Phyllis Lindstrom on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," stole the show as Frau Blücher in "Young Frankenstein," and dazzled audiences with her role on "Malcolm in the Middle." And let's not forget her memorable appearances in "The Longest Yard," "Bad Santa," "Touched by an Angel," "The Love Boat," "Lassie," and even "The Simpsons." Her versatility knew no bounds, and her performances left an indelible mark on generations of fans.
Cloris on "Dancing With the Stars"
Even in her later years, Cloris wasn't done wowing us. At the age of 82, she took the stage on "Dancing With the Stars" in 2008. Talk about guts and grace! Her appearance on the show reminded everyone why she was a true icon—she never stopped pushing boundaries and inspiring those around her.
Scroll through the gallery below to meet her five kids and learn more about this remarkable woman who was both a Hollywood legend and a devoted mother.
