Cloris Leachman, 82, ready to go ‘Dancing’

LOS ANGELES - She’s an octogenarian, but Cloris Leachman has the wit of a naughty twentysomething, and she’ll be bringing that wit and attitude to this season’s “Dancing With the Stars.”

The spunky 82-year-old star, who was nicknamed “Perky Polly” by her co-stars on the set of “The Women,” is ready to take to the ballroom. And Cloris explained to Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell how she was cast for “Dancing’s” Season 7.

“Well, my people called their people and they said no,” Cloris said.

“Why would they say no?” Nancy asked.

”‘She’s too old,’ they said,” Cloris noted. “We went back and they said no again, ‘Too old.’ Well, it finally it hit me. I thought, ‘Wait a minute! This is ridiculous. I have to do it before I die, I have to.’”

Between the laughs, frisky Cloris has been hitting on partner Corky Ballas, a retired competitive dancer and dad to dancer Mark Ballas, big time.

“Do you like your partner? Do you have a sexy partner?” Nancy asked.

“Well, I thought so but I keep saying, ‘Why aren’t you attracted to me?’ And he goes all crazy,” Cloris said. “He just hates that question.”

“He does?” Nancy asked.

“I said, ‘Am I too old?’ or ‘I’m not sexy?’ or ‘I’m not your type?’… And he just goes crazy. He said, ‘It’s a mystery.’”

MORE FROM ACCESS HOLLYWOOD

Access Hollywood Section Front

Jennifer Hudson to perform at White House ‘Shock is fun,’ Lambert says of performance Megan Fox: ‘I’m not a tigress like Angelina’ Ungaro: Lohan’s fashion debut was ‘a disaster’ Speidi want to talk fame with Brangelina Jolie reportedly reconciles with father Voight Rod Stewart says he’s hoping for eighth child Downey says directing could be his ‘next move’ Jon, Kate to spend Christmas under same roof Access Hollywood Section Front