Tributes have been paid to Oscar and multi-Emmy winner Cloris Leachman, who has passed away at the age of 94.
The Iowa native passed away at her home in Encinitas, California, a representative said.
Leachman was best known for her comedy work, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show on television and Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein on the big screen. She won her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in 1971 coming-of-age drama The Last Picture Show.
Paying tribute, writer-director Brooks described her performance as Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein as "unforgettable".
Such sad news—Cloris was insanely talented. She could make you laugh or cry at the drop of a hat. Always such a pleasure to have on set. Every time I hear a horse whinny I will forever think of Cloris' unforgettable Frau Blücher. She is irreplaceable, and will be greatly missed.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) January 27, 2021
He tweeted: "Such sad news - Cloris was insanely talented. She could make you laugh or cry at the drop of a hat.
"Always such a pleasure to have on set. Every time I hear a horse whinny I will forever think of Cloris' unforgettable Frau Blucher. She is irreplaceable, and will be greatly missed."
The Press Association reports that Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus holds the record with Leachman for the most awarded actor in Primetime Emmy history, with eight.
Louis-Dreyfus said: "Cloris Leachman's perfect performance as Frau Blucher had an enormous impact on my life. She was sublime. 'He vas my boyfriend!' RIP."
Ed Asner, Leachman's longtime friend and The Mary Tyler Moore Show co-star, shared a picture of him kissing the actress.
A picture from the last time I saw you. Always beautiful. Nothing I could say would top the enormity of my love for you. Until we meet again darling. #clorisleachmanrip pic.twitter.com/9etOZo13Kb
— Ed Asner (@TheOnlyEdAsner) January 27, 2021
"A picture from the last time I saw you," the 91-year-old said. "Always beautiful. Nothing I could say would top the enormity of my love for you. Until we meet again darling."
Steve Martin said: "Salute to Cloris Leachman, who brought comedy's mysteries to the big and small screen."
Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis, who grew up watching Leachman, said: "Your consistent excellence, ability to morph, and bravery will be sorely missed. RIP Cloris Leachman! Godspeed."
Fellow Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon said: "Truly original and larger than life in every unique performance. An incredibly talented actress who will be deeply missed."
Oscar organisers the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hailed Leachman as a "comedy legend".
"From a groundbreaking role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show to the films of Mel Brooks and her Oscar-winning turn in Peter Bogdanovich's The Last Picture Show, she never lost her ability to shock, delight and surprise us. She will be missed."
Cloris Leachman was a comedy legend. From a groundbreaking role on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" to the films of Mel Brooks and her Oscar-winning turn in Peter Bogdanovich's "The Last Picture Show," she never lost her ability to shock, delight and surprise us. She will be missed. pic.twitter.com/tcyfF1uzWj
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 27, 2021
Leachman was also a BAFTA, Golden Globe and Daytime Emmy award winner. Her many other film credits included Kiss Me Deadly, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Muppet Movie, Beavis and Butt-Head Do America and The Croods.
Along with her iconic portrayal of Phyllis Lindstrom in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and spin-off series Rhoda and Phyllis, her numerous television credits included Malcolm in the Middle, The Ellen Show, The Simpsons, The Facts of Life, Lassie, Gunsmoke and The Virginian.
In 2008, at the age of 82, she became the oldest contestant on Dancing with the Stars in the US, finishing seventh.
