Ed AsnerremembersCloris Leachmanas simply “marvelous.“The celebrated actressdied on Wednesday of natural causesat age 94, with countless Hollywood stars paying tribute to her. Among those honoring Leachman is Asner, 91, her costar onThe Mary Tyler Moore Show, Asner played Lou Grant on the series, which aired between 1970 and 1977, while Leachman portrayed landlady Phyllis Lindstrom.“We got awful chummy, and we dug each other a lot,” Asner toldEntertainment Tonight. “When we first started the show, she got me to not worry about reading the teleprompter, rewind the script, improv … We did it with improv and it worked well.““I’ll carry my memories to my grave. I loved her. She was a sweet mama,” added Asner.The actor also praised Leachman’s on-screen talents, explaining that she “had pride in herself and she did not like being bound down to any rules and regulations.” He said: “She was a free cat. She was just marvelous, a marvelous actress. And she would come up with some wonderful ideas.“Michael Tullberg/Getty Images; Michael Kovac/Getty ImagesLeachman’s manager, Juliet Green, confirmed her death to PEOPLE, calling the star “one of themost fearless actresses of our time.““There was no one like Cloris,” said Green. “With a single look she had the ability to break your heart or make you laugh till the tears ran down your face. You never knew what Cloris was going to say or do and that unpredictable quality was part of her unparalleled magic.““She loved her children and her grandchildren ferociously. A lifelong vegetarian, she was a passionate advocate for animal rights. The family requests that any donations in her name be made to PETA or Last Chance for Animals,” continued Green.CBS via Getty ImagesWant to get the biggest stories fromPEOPLEevery weekday?Subscribe to our new podcast,PEOPLE Every Day,to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday. Get a taste of the podcast below.RELATED GALLERY:Cloris Leachman’s Life in PhotosLeachman earned two consecutive supporting actress Emmys for herMary Tyler Moore Showrole, in 1974 and 1975. While she appeared in all seven seasons of the CBS sitcom, Leachman also went solo with the character, leading a spinoff series titledPhyllisfrom 1975 to 1977.“She’s one of those geniuses who’s capable of thinking on the spot and making it funny and making it truthful,“Moore toldGood Morning Americaof Leachman back in 2010. “I would go to no other person than she to ask for advice.”
Ed AsnerremembersCloris Leachmanas simply “marvelous.”
The celebrated actressdied on Wednesday of natural causesat age 94, with countless Hollywood stars paying tribute to her. Among those honoring Leachman is Asner, 91, her costar onThe Mary Tyler Moore Show, Asner played Lou Grant on the series, which aired between 1970 and 1977, while Leachman portrayed landlady Phyllis Lindstrom.
“We got awful chummy, and we dug each other a lot,” Asner toldEntertainment Tonight. “When we first started the show, she got me to not worry about reading the teleprompter, rewind the script, improv … We did it with improv and it worked well.”
“I’ll carry my memories to my grave. I loved her. She was a sweet mama,” added Asner.
The actor also praised Leachman’s on-screen talents, explaining that she “had pride in herself and she did not like being bound down to any rules and regulations.” He said: “She was a free cat. She was just marvelous, a marvelous actress. And she would come up with some wonderful ideas.”
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images; Michael Kovac/Getty Images
Leachman’s manager, Juliet Green, confirmed her death to PEOPLE, calling the star “one of themost fearless actresses of our time.”
“There was no one like Cloris,” said Green. “With a single look she had the ability to break your heart or make you laugh till the tears ran down your face. You never knew what Cloris was going to say or do and that unpredictable quality was part of her unparalleled magic.”
“She loved her children and her grandchildren ferociously. A lifelong vegetarian, she was a passionate advocate for animal rights. The family requests that any donations in her name be made to PETA or Last Chance for Animals,” continued Green.
CBS via Getty Images
Want to get the biggest stories fromPEOPLEevery weekday?Subscribe to our new podcast,PEOPLE Every Day,to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday. Get a taste of the podcast below.
RELATED GALLERY:Cloris Leachman’s Life in Photos
Leachman earned two consecutive supporting actress Emmys for herMary Tyler Moore Showrole, in 1974 and 1975. While she appeared in all seven seasons of the CBS sitcom, Leachman also went solo with the character, leading a spinoff series titledPhyllisfrom 1975 to 1977.
“She’s one of those geniuses who’s capable of thinking on the spot and making it funny and making it truthful,“Moore toldGood Morning Americaof Leachman back in 2010. “I would go to no other person than she to ask for advice.”
source: people.com
