Cloris Leachman Quotes

Powerful Cloris Leachman for Daily Growth

About Cloris Leachman

Cloris Leachman (April 30, 1926 – January 27, 2019) was an American actress, comedian, and model who left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry with her versatile talents and unparalleled career spanning over seven decades. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Leachman developed a love for acting at a young age, which led her to study drama at Northwestern University. Her career began in earnest when she won the Miss Chicago beauty pageant and later represented Illinois in the 1946 Miss America pageant, where she placed as first runner-up. Post-beauty pageant, Leachman transitioned into modeling, then acting, landing her debut role in the Broadway production of "Orpheus in the Underworld." In 1953, Leachman made her film debut with a small part in the movie "Rich, Young and Beautiful," but it was her work on television that would propel her to stardom. Notable TV roles include Phoebe on the sitcom "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1970-1977), for which she won five Emmy Awards; Lola Falana in the drama series "Hometown" (1985); and Jerri Blank in the acclaimed comedy-drama series "Malcolm in the Middle" (2000-2006), earning her an additional eight Emmys. Leachman's film career also flourished, with memorable performances in "The Last Picture Show" (1971), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress; "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969); "Young Frankenstein" (1974); and "Spanglish" (2004). Throughout her life, Leachman demonstrated her resilience, adaptability, and incredible talent, leaving an indelible legacy in the world of entertainment. Her quotes, brimming with wit and wisdom, continue to inspire generations: "I have been a mother, a wife, an actress, and I have never been happier than I am now," and "The best feeling in the world is a good orgasm during sex." Leachman passed away in January 2019 at the age of 92.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'm not right in the head... I've been saner, but not much."

This quote by Cloris Leachman suggests a self-awareness of her own idiosyncrasies or unconventionality. She is implying that while she has moments of normality, she is also prone to thinking or behaving in ways that are not typical or conventional – a characteristic that sets her apart from others. In essence, it's a humorous expression of personal uniqueness and individuality.


"Life is short. Smoke it all."

This quote by Cloris Leachman encourages a carefree, spontaneous approach to life, suggesting that one should seize every moment and enjoy each experience without regrets or reservations. However, it's important to note that the interpretation of "smoke" in this context is metaphorical, not literal, indicating enjoying life fully or savoring its pleasures.


"I don't think age is a measurement of inner beauty, wisdom or kindness."

This quote by Cloris Leachman highlights that aging does not define one's inner qualities such as beauty, wisdom, or kindness. She suggests that these aspects are more deeply rooted within an individual and should not be associated with their physical age. Instead, they are characteristics that grow over time and can be seen in people of all ages. In other words, a person can be young in age but wise, kind, or beautiful at heart, just as someone may be older physically yet lack these qualities.


"If you can't make it better, you can laugh at it."

This quote suggests a coping mechanism in the face of adversity or difficult situations. When we cannot directly improve a situation, finding humor or laughter in it is a way to alleviate stress, maintain perspective, and find a sense of control. Laughing at life's challenges can help us persevere and maintain a positive outlook.


"Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug."

This quote suggests that one can experience life from different perspectives: at times, we are in control (the windshield, moving forward with purpose), and at other times, we may find ourselves vulnerable or powerless (the bug, subjected to external forces). It's a reminder that life is dynamic and often unpredictable, encouraging us to embrace both the controlling and the controlled aspects of our existence.


When I decided to become vegetarian, I had to learn how to 'recook,' if you will. For example, I used to put red wine in a big pot with the meat that I'd cooked in fat, and it was, of course, delicious. When I gave up meat, I wondered what I would make. That turned out to be vegetables, really organic and fresh.

- Cloris Leachman

Big, Red Wine, Turned, Pot

If I were to do some outlandish role, I always made sure I'd be on Johnny Carson to show that I wasn't that person that I played. I'd be myself. And so people got to know me, I think, and I think they know that I'm honest and truthful and real.

- Cloris Leachman

Some, Role, I Think, Johnny

I don't stress at all. When other people say, 'I'm having a bad day,' I ask, 'How can you have a bad day for the entire 24 hours, or even 12 or eight hours?' Something bad might happen, but that can't make the entire day bad.

- Cloris Leachman

Bad, Other, Entire, 24 Hours

I don't feel like I'm really in the public eye because I feel like I'm one of the public.

- Cloris Leachman

Feel, Like, I Feel, Public Eye

I am from Des Moines, Iowa - not even the city but out in the country. I don't have a lot of trappings, I think, in my personality. I'm just a simple person with a silly bone.

- Cloris Leachman

Country, Iowa, Simple Person, Trappings

I live a very leisurely life. When I do work, it's not work: it's great fun and exciting and fresh. New, wonderful, talented people. It's great pleasure and great fun.

- Cloris Leachman

New, Very, Talented People, Great Fun

If you brush your teeth, you don't want to eat something right after because your mouth feels so fresh. So brushing your teeth actually prevents you from eating until later.

- Cloris Leachman

Want, Feels, Brush, Brushing

I don't look for roles, for they come to me. Mind you, it's not like I'm sitting in the middle of the floor with thousands of scripts around me. When work comes up, it's good. I love it. Work doesn't feel like work.

- Cloris Leachman

Love, Feel, Roles, Scripts

Why can't we build orphanages next to homes for the elderly? If someone were sitting in a rocker, it wouldn't be long before a kid will be in his lap.

- Cloris Leachman

Next, Before, Rocker, Sitting

I make fun wherever I go... If I go to a restaurant by myself, rest assured, people will be talking about it. I always have a great deal of fun being with people. It's part of the journey.

- Cloris Leachman

Rest, Deal, Always, Assured

Some parts stay with me for weeks afterward. It's these people that I play. They get under my skin, and I just can't let go of them. I have immersed myself into their lives and into their beings so much that they feel like a part of me.

- Cloris Leachman

Play, Some, Weeks, Immersed

I took piano lessons and dancing lessons. I was very good at piano.

- Cloris Leachman

Dancing, Very, Took, Lessons

The stuff that's made up about Jesus - that you have to go through Jesus to get to God and if you're lucky, after you die, if you've done everything right, the reward is you get to sit on the right hand side of God. All that is made up by men. People made it up.

- Cloris Leachman

Die, Lucky, Through, Right Hand

I always wanted to be healthy and look good. I taught myself in my mid thirties about eating right.

- Cloris Leachman

Myself, Always, About, Thirties

Don't eat sugar. It's stupid.

- Cloris Leachman

Stupid, Eat, Sugar

I was Miss Chicago in 1946.

- Cloris Leachman

Miss, Chicago

I've taken care of myself all my life.

- Cloris Leachman

Myself, My Life, Taken, All My Life

I stopped eating meat when I was 35. Thank God.

- Cloris Leachman

Thank God, Stopped, Thank, Meat

Extraordinary miracles, billions and trillions of them, happen all the time, but not because there's a God.

- Cloris Leachman

Extraordinary, Happen, Them, Miracles

In third grade, my teacher asked me to read in front of the class. I was so touched because that really was the first acting I had ever done, just reading in front of the class. And I was so amazed with the fulfillment I got from being in front of people.

- Cloris Leachman

Touched, Got, Had, Fulfillment

My son became my manager, and he said to me, 'Mom, if you could do anything you wanted to do, what would it be?' And out of my mouth immediately came, 'Dancing With the Stars.'

- Cloris Leachman

Dancing, Manager, Became, Mouth

I don't think I'm my age. I'm truly 6 years old.

- Cloris Leachman

Age, Think, Old, Truly

I'm so sick of Betty White.

- Cloris Leachman

White, Sick, Betty

The reason I am a good actress, I think, is because the times when I didn't have a good part... and you think, 'What the hell do you do with it?' You have to figure something out.

- Cloris Leachman

Think, Reason, Actress, Hell

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