Cloris Leachman chosen as Rose Parade's grand marshal
The 82-year-old garnered new attention with her recent stint on 'Dancing with the Stars.'
Academy Award-winning actress Cloris Leachman will serve as the grand marshal of the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade, officials announced today.
Leachman, 82, is most recently known for her foray into the seventh season of "Dancing with the Stars." She's been tapped to join the 120th celebration of the Rose Parade with its Hollywood-linked theme: "Hats Off to Entertainment."
The last grand marshal was New Orleans chef Emeril Lagasse, preceded by "Star Wars" creator George Lucas in 2007 and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in 2006.
Originally from Des Moines, Leachman began appearing on television in the late 1940s, winning an Academy Award for best supporting actress for the 1971 film "The Last Picture Show" and eight Emmys for shows including "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Malcolm in the Middle."
Of the parade's age, she said today at a news conference, "One hundred and twenty years. Can you imagine that? Are you imagining that? I wonder what my career will be like in the next 60? . . . Well, this is certainly a good start."
The parade is scheduled for Jan. 1.
francisco.varaorta@latimes.com
