Ellen DeGeneres and Reese Witherspoon lead celeb tributes to Cloris Leechman after comedy icon died at 94

HOLLYWOOD'S acting heavyweights paid tribute to Cloris Leachman after she died of natural causes aged 94.

Reese Witherspoon, Ellen DeGeneres and Viola Davis led the stars paying homage to the "legendary" Oscar winner on social media.

Reese tweeted: Truly original and larger than life in every unique performance. An incredibly talented actress who will be deeply missed.

Ellen worked alongside Cloris on her short-lived sitcom The Ellen Show in 2001.

"Cloris Leachman played my mother on my second sitcom," the comedian penned.

"I always considered myself lucky for having the chance to work with her. She will be missed."

Oscar winner Viola Davis highlighted Cloris' "consistent excellence" and "bravery".

"I loved your work!!! Just LOVED!! I grew up watching Phyllis and The Last Picture Show," the 55-year-old posted.

"Your consistent excellence, ability to morph, and bravery will be sorely missed. RIP Cloris Leachman! Godspeed."

Modern Family star, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, recalled a sweet memory of his first meeting with Cloris.

"The 1st time I met #ClorisLeachman was at a fundraiser. Without even saying hello, she came over to our table & started clearing our plates while we were mid bite," he said.

"She took them & stacked them on a neighboring table. She did this until everything was gone, then walked away. RIP."

Amber Tamblyn, who worked with Cloris on the sitcom Joan Of Arcadia, wrote: "I’ve been lucky to work with some of the best artists in my 20+ year career.

"Cloris Leachman on “Joan of Arcadia was one of them. What a brilliant, fearless firecracker she was and will be remembered as. Fly safe now, dear Cloris."

Fellow comedy legend Steve Martin penned: "Salute to Cloris Leachman, who brought comedy’s mysteries to the big and small screen."

Glee star Chris Colfer commemorated Cloris' mischievous sense of humor.

"The best part about working for FOX was getting to see Cloris Leachman at photoshoots and red carpets," he recalled.

"She was hilarious, had no filter, and told the greatest stories. She used to tease me mercilessly and always left me wanting more. Heaven just got a lot more fun."

Ed Asner paid ode to his longtime friend and Mary Tyler Moore Show co-star by sharing a photo of the last time he saw her.

The sweet image showed Ed, 91, planting a kiss on Cloris' head as she gasped in mock-horror.

"Always beautiful. Nothing I could say would top the enormity of my love for you. Until we meet again darling," he wrote.

Many of the stars who commemorated Cloris included photos of her many iconic roles, including in films such as Kiss Me Deadly, Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety.

They were also appearance from her TV performances in shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Raising Hope, Love Boat.

Cloris died on January 27, 2021 of natural causes at her home in Encinitas, California.

She passed away with her daughter Dinah, by her side.

Her son told TMZ: "She had the best life beginning to end that you could wish for someone. She was at peace and she left everyone with a lot of love."

Cloris hit the big screen with Young Frankenstein in 1974 and The Last Picture Show in 1971, winning her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

The natural-born star also made history in films such as The Twilight Zone, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Spanglish, and Raising Hope.

With a massive 22 Emmy nods, she is the most nominated actress in history.

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