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Entertainment | 08/26/2008 10:15 am

Cloris Leachman, 82, to Strut Her Stuff on 'Dancing With the Stars'

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
Cloris Leachman with Dance Partner Corky Ballas
Cloris Leachman with dance partner

Corky Ballas courtesy of YouTube

Cloris Leachman is breaking out her dancing shoes.

It has been confirmed that the 82-year-old actress will be one of the 13 celebrities to compete in the next season of the hit ABC show, "Dancing With the Stars."

Leachman will become the oldest contestant in the history of the show. The previous contestant to hold this mark was then-66-year-old George Hamilton, who took part in season two.

The show premieres September 22. Other "Stars" will be actresses/models Kim Kardashian and Brooke Burke, former ‘NSync singer Lance Bass, Olympic gold medalist for beach volleyball Misty May-Treanor and NFL champ Warren Sapp.

The woman who became a household name in the ’70s for her signature role on the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" is still very active. Indeed.

Leachman, currently touring in her one-woman show, "Cloris!", recently completed three new films, Reuters reports. In 2006, she collected her eighth Primetime Emmy, the most by a single actress.

ABC announced the dance contestants yesterday on ABC News’s "Good Morning America."

Last week, Leachman stole the show at Comedy Central’s "The Roast of Bob Saget." It can be seen by clicking here.

24 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

cath c
i can’t wait!! i’m nearly half her age, but i have loooooved her since mtms, young frankenstein, high anxiety, and even her weird b turn on videotapes of schoolhouse rock i had for my sons in the 90’s. i can’t wait to see and hear what spontaneous acts come from one of my more fun heroines! 7 second delay at the ready, i’m sure!
By cath c on 08/27/2008 10:50 am
Michael Salling
Her best supporting Oscar role in 1971 (“The last Picture Show”) opened my eyes and touched me as few performances on the screen ever have. It may have changed my life.
By Michael Salling on 08/29/2008 2:20 am
Maurine H
Can you imagine what Cloris Leachman is doing for the “older set” with this gig on DWTS? She’s going to have every 80 year old in the country dancing and feeling 15 again! I applaud her gumption but, having watched her perform for decades, I’m pretty sure she’s giving us all a wink and a nudge and shouting, “To hell with age! It’s all about chutzpah!” I’ll be glued to my TV cheering her on!
By Maurine H on 08/27/2008 1:04 pm
iris odonata
From Someone not so old and yet gray to Ms. Cloris Leachman http://www.youtube.com/watchv?CNuBe9FVXxO Injoy
By iris odonata on 08/27/2008 3:12 pm
Michael Salling
I don’t get what I’m supposed to do when I get to that Utube webpage Iris. I was hoping it would have a clip of the Bob Saget roast appearance by Cloris.
By Michael Salling on 08/29/2008 2:01 am
Marcia Stein
I’m glad she’s joining - it’s inspiring to all of us. That said, many ballroom dances are very sexual and romantic, and it’s a little creepy to have someone being romantic with someone 60 years younger. I felt that way about George Hamilton, too, so it’s not about being female vs. male. This show is one of my favorite guilty pleasures and I am looking forward to the season.
By Marcia Stein on 08/28/2008 10:08 am
Michael Salling
Here’s a link to one of the funniest (and bluest) celebrity roast cameo appearances I’ve ever seen. I think parts of it were too raunchy even for Comedy Central — on second thought, more likely time limitations caused the edits. Enjoy! http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/07/cloris-leachman-wants-to-strap-on-…
By Michael Salling on 08/29/2008 2:13 am
Marie McConnell
She’s a classy lady. Let’s hope this isn’t to much for her. She has my bid! Bravo!!
By Marie McConnell on 08/30/2008 2:58 pm