Leachman's chameleon-like dramatic range has won legions of fans and garnered her a record eight Emmy Awards®, Golden Globe Award®, National Board of Review Award and British Academy Award. She earned an Oscar® for her riveting portrayal of lonely Texas housewife "Ruth Popper" in the landmark film THE LAST PICTURE SHOW.
Arguably one of the busiest actresses in Hollywood, Leachman begins principle photography on the Paramount Pictures feature THE LONGEST YARD opposite ADAM SANDLER, CHRIS ROCK and BURT REYNOLDS this October. In December, she stars in Sony's SPAN'GLISH with Sandler and TEA LEONI. In 2005, HBO will release the much anticipated MRS. HARRIS with SIR BEN KINGSLEY and ANNETTE BENING. On television, Ms. Leachman continues her Emmy Award®-winning role on FOX's MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE.
Leachman has delighted television viewers for generations. In the 1970s, millions tuned in to watch Leachman's self-absorbed yet endearing "Phyllis Lindstrom" on the legendary MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW and popular spin-off series PHYLLIS. Leachman would receive four Emmy® nominations and two Emmy Awards® for her work on MARY TYLER MOORE and an Emmy® nomination and Golden Globe Award® for PHYLLIS. These added to her collection of Emmy Awards® for A BRAND NEW LIFE (ABC MOW) and CBS' CHER SPECIAL.
The 1980s brought more unforgettable television roles and further acclaim. Most notably, viewers found comfort in the sage advice dispensed by "Beverly Ann," Leachman's character on the popular NBC series THE FACTS OF LIFE. Leachman also added Emmy® number five for ABC's THE WOMAN WHO WILLED A MIRACLE and a sixth Emmy Award® for her brilliant eight-minute soliloquy for the SCREEN ACTORS GUILD 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.
Leachman's more than 35 films for television include IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, HONOR BRIGHT, FINE THINGS, LOVE IS NEVER SILENT, THE DEMON MURDER CASE, DIXIE CHANGING HABITS, A GIRL NAMED SOONER, BACKSTAIRS AT THE WHITEHOUSE, and Emmy® nominated performances in THE MIGRANTS, IT HAPPENED ONE CHRISTMAS and ERNIE KOVACS: BETWEEN THE LAUGHTER.
The 1990s and 2000s have been especially busy for Leachman. 1998, the actress won a seventh Emmy® for her work as "Aunt Mooster" on the CBS series PROMISED LAND. In 2001, Leachman was handpicked by ELLEN DEGENERES to star as her mother in the CBS primetime series THE ELLEN SHOW. In 2003, Leachman received her third Emmy® nomination for the hit FOX series MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE. In 2002, she won a record-breaking eighth Emmy Award® for her recurring role as JANE KACZMAREK's mother "Grandma Ida" on the series.
On the big screen, Leachman's richly woven characters have secured her place in film history and a survey of her more than 40 feature films demonstrates her breathtaking acting range.
Along with her Best Supporting Actress Oscar®, Leachman won a National Board of Review Award and a British Film Academy Award for her unforgettable "Ruth Popper" in the critically hailed film THE LAST PICTURE SHOW.
Leachman's dramatic skill is matched only by her ability to make us laugh. Her calculating "Frau Blucher" in MEL BROOKS' YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and twisted "Nurse Diesel" in HIGH ANXIETY are comedy classics. Younger audiences know her as the spry "Granny" in the popular feature film THE BEVERLY HILL BILLIES and "Martha" in the animated MTV feature BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD DO AMERICA. Other recent big screen credits include THE ANIMAL (opposite ROB SCHNEIDER), THE AMATI GIRLS, HANGING UP (opposite DIANE KEATON, MEG RYAN and LISA KUDROW), MUSIC OF THE HEART (opposite MERYL STREEP, ANGELA BASSETT, AIDAN QUINN and GLORIA ESTEFAN) and IRON GIANT.
Leachman's formidable stage work includes over two-dozen productions. Most notably, she starred in GRANDMA MOSES: An American Primitive (national tour), which left critics spellbound. She also starred in the national tour of SHOWBOAT, THE OLDEST LIVING GRADUATE, BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE, SAME TIME NEXT YEAR, TWIGS and THE HOUSEKEEPER. Broadway roles include those in AS YOU LIKE IT, SOUTH PACIFIC, LO and BEHOLD, JOHN LOVES MARY, SUNDOWN BEACH, SUNDAY BREAKFAST, DEAR BARBARIANS, KING OF HEARTS, TOUCH OF THE POET and MASQUERADE.
The actress grew up outside Des Moines, Iowa. A graduate of Northwestern University, Leachman was named "Miss Chicago" and subsequently became a runner-up in the Miss America pageant. After early success on the New York stage, Leachman ventured to Hollywood and made her screen debut in the MICKEY SPILLANE shocker, KISS ME DEADLY.
Leachman's work is always fresh and exciting. Refusing to rest on her laurels, she approaches each new role with vigor and a passion for discovery.
