Link (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-marshal11-2008oct11,0,636917.story)

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

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PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - Cloris Leachman has been chosen as grand marshal for next year's Rose Parade.

The actress, who has an Oscar and eight Emmys, will head the 120th Tournament of Roses on Jan. 1 in Pasadena. The parade's theme is "Hats Off to Entertainment."

The 82-year-old "Dancing With the Stars" contestant said Friday she's thrilled to be grand marshal of a parade that — in her words — "is older than I am."

Leachman won an Oscar as best supporting actress for the 1971 film "The Last Picture Show"; her Emmy wins span from Mary Tyler Moore's classic sitcom in the '70s to "Malcolm in the Middle" in 2006.

YAY!! I found out about this last night!! I'm excited because I'm going to be at this parade!! We're going as part of a tour group so we'll be sitting in the bleachers!! It'll be cool to meet her but the odds of that happening....well. I liked her in Phyllis, bit I'm more of a fan of her movies.

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