Cloris Leachman falls ill, now home: spokeswoman

Actress Cloris Leachman, star of the film ''The Women'', poses at the film's premiere in Los Angeles, September 4, 2008.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Oscar winning actress Cloris Leachman, who saw a resurgence in her popularity recently on the TV show "Dancing with the Stars," fell ill late last week and sought treatment from doctors but is now home, her spokeswoman said on Monday.

Earlier, celebrity television program "Entertainment Tonight" said Leachman, 82, had been hospitalized and diagnosed with pneumonia.

Leachman's spokeswoman said in a statement that the actress, on Thursday last week, "had a slight cough and wasn't feeling totally herself, so she went and sought medical attention from her doctor.

"She is currently at her home, and is expected to tape something for 'Dancing with the Stars' later this week," the spokeswoman said.

The extent of Leachman's illness was not immediately known.

Leachman became the oldest contestant ever when she appeared on this season's "Dancing with the Stars" in the United States, in which celebrities are paired with professional dancers and compete in ballroom dancing.

She won a large fan base for her good sense of humor on the program, but was eliminated sixth in the competition.

Leachman won an Oscar for her role in the 1971 movie "The Last Picture Show." She also has collected eight Emmy awards. Her best known TV role was as the self-absorbed Phyllis on "Mary Tyler Moore."

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by Jill Serjeant)