Let’s talk about Cloris Leachman, one of the most iconic and beloved actresses in Hollywood history. If you ever wondered what it was like to grow up with her, her daughter, Dinah Englund, gives us a front-row seat into her world. In an exclusive interview with Closer, Dinah shares that her mom wasn’t just a legendary actress—she was also a mischievous, adventurous spirit who always pushed boundaries. "She had this knack for seeing the humor in everything," Dinah recalls. Whether she was slipping into character as Frau Blücher from Young Frankenstein or Phyllis Lindstrom from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cloris could instantly transform any moment into pure entertainment. Even at home, she’d randomly break into character—whether pretending to be the family dog or some random person—and leave everyone in stitches. “Living with her was like being part of a never-ending adventure,” Dinah says with a laugh.
Cloris’ life was nothing short of extraordinary. From becoming a finalist in the 1946 Miss America pageant to rubbing shoulders with Hollywood legends like Marlon Brando, her journey was filled with unforgettable escapades. But it wasn’t all glitz and glamour. Cloris faced her fair share of challenges, including a difficult upbringing with an abusive father and a tumultuous 26-year marriage to producer-director George Englund. Tragedy struck again when one of their five children, son Bryan, passed away at just 30 years old. Through it all, Cloris remained an anchor for her family, calling them “the center of my existence.” Her resilience was unmatched, and her ability to find joy—even in tough times—was nothing short of inspiring. As Dinah puts it, “No one could ever bring her down. She was fearless.”
A Life Built on Strength
Cloris’ strength was forged early on, during her childhood in Des Moines, Iowa. Her father, Buck Leachman, owned a lumber company and wasn’t exactly the nurturing type. In her 2009 autobiography, Cloris revealed that her dad physically abused her when she was 17. Despite the trauma, she emerged stronger, refusing to let anyone break her spirit. In a 1972 appearance on The Dick Cavett Show, she said, “I grew up sturdy and strong. I wouldn’t bend or yield. And later, my father told me he was glad he hadn’t broken me.” That same unyielding spirit carried her through life’s ups and downs.
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Her relationship with George Englund was another chapter filled with complexity. They met in 1950 while Cloris was performing on Broadway in “As You Like It.” At first, their love story seemed perfect—he was “magnificent,” she once said. But over time, their marriage became emotionally fraught. “He dragged my mother through decades of emotional abuse,” Dinah reveals. Despite the struggles, Cloris stayed with him, raising four boys and a girl before they divorced in 1979. Remarkably, they remained friends afterward. “They were soulmates who just couldn’t coexist on a physical plane,” Dinah explains. Even after the divorce, Cloris carried the weight of heartbreak, especially following the tragic loss of her son Bryan. Yet, she kept moving forward, rarely sharing her pain with others. “She believed in keeping private matters private,” Dinah notes.
Through it all, Cloris never lost her sense of humor or her zest for life. When former co-star Ed Asner worked with her again in 2016 on Hallmark’s The Eleventh, he joked, “She’s loony tunes! You just have to figure out where the music is, then work to her beat.” But beneath the playful exterior was a deeply caring person. “She was a lovely lady,” Asner added.
For her children, Cloris was more than just a mom—she was a guiding light. “My mom was the mom everyone wished they had,” Dinah tells Closer. “She had grace, acceptance, and humor. She had this incredible way of making people feel safe and loved. When she held you, it felt like you were in the safest place in the world.”
— Lisa Chambers, with reporting by Katie Bruno
