Cloris Leachman: An appreciation
My first Cloris Leachman experience occurred on Christmas Eve, 1962. This wonderful actress, who died this week at age 94, appeared on an episode of the TV series “Stoney Burke.” Leachman played a character named Eunice Stocker, the cousin of a character played by Bruce Dern — a regular on the series that helped launch the careers of Dern, Warren Oates and series star Jack Lord. Eunice was a tomboyish, not terribly pretty woman who aspired to be a rodeo trick rider but whose lack of glamour was holding her back. Lord’s Stoney, a top-notch saddle bronc rider and a close friend of Dern’s character E.J. Stocker, helped Eunice achieve the necessary makeover. Problem was, Eunice had a massive crush on Stoney that, even after the makeover, was not requited. It seems Stoney only had eyes for pretty trick rider Francie Adams — or, as Eunice scornfully called her, “Fancy pantsy Francie.” How do I remember all this, more than 58 years later? The internet certainly helped. Still, havin...