Interview with Cloris Leachman

Skye Englund

As fate would have it the guest star on hit series Malcolm in the Middle is my grandmother, Cloris Leachman. She is a highly acclaimed actress who has performed in over 90 movies in her life time. She is currently appearing in Malcolm in the Middle as Ida, Malcolm’s grandmother. “She is a large-bosomed grandmother-from-hell,” Cloris explained to me. When I arrived on the set she was blocking for the next scene the wedding rehearsal. This episode was entitled “Ida’s Boyfriend”. We conducted our interview in between each take and huddled around the monitor while they shot the scene.

Skye Englund: What is it like to work with the cast and crew of Malcolm in the Middle?

Cloris Leachman: I tend to have a lot of energy and certainly, ideas which can be inspiring and helpful. But I have been entering a situation where the cast has worked week after week for several years now, so I was concerned that I must be sensitive to that. It was a surprise therefore to see such an easy, calm, and quiet set. Everyone is helpful and interested and contributes their ability and skill in every department. Each of the boys knows his lines and is very professional. No one was screaming “QUIET!!!” The boys are very much each in his own life. Erik (Dewey) & Justin (Reece) seemed genuinely interested in each other and Malcolm comes to the set in-conspicuously. On the last day of my shoot Malcolm came with his arm around his girl, a very pretty blonde with whom he seemed to be very proud and happy with. I asked if I would be invited to his 18^th birthday party this week. He quickly said “NO” and laughed. I laughed too and pretended I’d been stabbed. It was all in fun because he will be working on his birthday. Justin and Erik along with some crew members play ping pong in between takes. Jane and I talk about our children and we laugh a lot. I am very impressed that each actor has managed to remain normal, human and humble and vitally interested.

SE: Do you think you will ever stop acting?

CL: I don’t have to act in my life to be fulfilled but I simply love what I do. There are many other things that I’m interested in as well.

SE: What are your favorite movies that you’ve done?

CL: The Woman Who Willed a Miracle and Young Frankenstein.

SE: What do you like about working as an actor?

CL: It’s terribly exciting to walk on a set. It’s as if you’re in another world at another time. I’m always interested to see how people solve things and how things work on sets. Finding your character from clues in the script. I love working with creative people and actors that aren’t jealous, selfish or judgmental.

SE: What do you dislike about being an actor?

CL: I hate to be hot, wet, cold, tired or hungry, certainly not all together but one or two at a time is okay. But I would go to the North Pole with a movie crew. That’s how much I trust them to take care of me. I know they would create a palm tree paradise and wardrobe would give a big down furry parka. I don’t like being in makeup from early hours until late at night as in the case of Malcolm in the Middle either.

SE: Tell us what you like about playing Ida in Malcolm in the Middle?

CL: Ida says things that take ones breathe away so you gasp with shock and laugh with glee.

SE: Do you like working on television shows or movies?

CL: Sitcoms are easier because you come to work about ten A.M., rehearse and plan everything out, get rewrites every day and on the fifth day, put on a show for an enthusiastic audience. I love movies as well, especially when we’re on location. It’s fun to interact the people in the town or area.

SE: Most of your roles you are playing extravagant women. Are they created by you or indicated in the script?

CL: Being an actor is like being a detective with clues from the script. Sometimes I get a role that’s closely related to one I’ve already played, so I find new aspects for new roles.

SE: What would you say to an aspiring actor?

CL: Everything you learn know or experience, passions, sufferings, disasters especially just watching people “behave” is used or useful in acting. Authenticity, dancing, humor, all contribute sooner or later to draw on to help characters come to life. Not being judgmental and righteous.