Miss Cleo, the embattled telephone psychic famous for turning the phrase “call me now for your free reading!” into a cultural meme, has died at 53 after a battle with cancer.
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In the late “90s, Harris joined the Psychic Readers Network and instantly became one of the most familiar (and most imitated) personalities on TV with her catchphrase, “Call me now for your free readin”. Though Cleo was not charged, it was revealed at that time that she was born in Los Angeles to American parents.
That same year, Harris, who had been heavily lampooned on late-night TV, found another sort of role: a job voicing a Miss Cleo-like character on the popular video game series, “Grand Theft Auto”.
“I come from a family of Obeah – which is another word for voodoo”. She was moved to hospice care last week.
“When he made the decision I told him I’d be there to support him 100 percent, and he embraced [coming out] wholeheartedly”, Harris told the Advocate.
In her interview, she said coming out was a relief.
In 2002, however, the companies behind her were sued for deceptive advertising, billing, and collection practices, and the commercials soon came to a stop. Miss Cleo asked her if it was the stupid one or the married one that invited her to go out and the caller answers her “the married one”.
Her memorable Miss Cleo persona ran in television ads from 1997 to 2003.
Sad to learn of Miss Cleo’s passing.
Harris later appeared in USA documentary, Hotline, in 2014 where she spoke about her experiences. “Unfortunately, yes”, she said when asked if she still got recognized.
@_zolarmoon reacted to Harris’ relatively young age at her death. “That was really intense”.
“I think a lot of people just view psychics in general as swindlers”, Shaff said, “but she did not view herself as that”. “I have family members who will be shocked; they don’t know”. “I wish people would tell me where it is”.
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Her rep also told TMZ that Cleo was a “pillar of strength” while she was sick, and she died surrounded by her family and friends.
