Happy birthday, Cloris Leachman!

Oscar- and Emmy Award-winning actress Cloris Leachman/AP photo

Cloris Leachman, the Energizer Bunny of  Hollywood octogenarians, celebrates her 83rd birthday Thursday, April 30.

Leachman, whose autobiography, “Cloris”, was released March 31, is a native of  Des Moines.

In her book, Leachman mentions encounters with two other stars who passed through Des Moines on their way to fame:

• When she was in her teens, Leachman worked at the same radio station as sportscaster Ronald “Dutch” Reagan. At the time, she thought he was a square. Years later, when they worked together in New York, she found him to be quite gallant.
• She’s known singer Andy Williams, an Iowa native, since they were 8. In fact, his aunt was her piano teacher.

Leachman coming to Des Moines

Leachman will present her stage show, “Cloris!”, at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 10, at the Greater Civic Center of Des Moines, 221 Walnut St. Tickets are $47.50 and $62.50 through Civic Center Ticket Office, (515) 246-2300, or www.civiccenter.org

Fun fact

Leachman’s mother-in-law was actress Mabel Albertson, who played Darrin’s mother on “Bewitched.”