Leslie Uggams Reveals the Secret to Being an '82-Year-Old Active Performer' in NPR Interview... A Retrospective on the Legendary Career of 'Deadpool and Roots Grandma'

Hollywood's living legend Leslie Uggams (82) is making headlines after reflecting on her 76-year career in entertainment and revealing the secret to her active performance as an actress on NPR's 'Fresh Air' program. In an interview aired on the 22nd, Uggams expressed her remarkable passion, stating, 'I don’t think about age. I just think about what my next project is.'

Having debuted at the age of 6 in the ABC series 'Beulah' and remaining active to this day, Uggams humbly remarked during the interview, 'When people call me an icon, that’s when I realize, oh, I’ve been working for a long time.' She added, 'I am always happy to be working,' showcasing energy that belies her 82 years.

In particular, she shared an interesting behind-the-scenes story about her role as 'Blind Al' in the Marvel movie 'Deadpool,' where she delivers some colorful language. She revealed, 'When I first received the script, I didn’t know what it was about because the character kept falling down,' and added, 'Everything was coded, so I didn’t know what role I was playing until the last moment.'

Uggams recalled that during her interview with director Tim Miller, when she said one word, the director responded, 'I like the way you said that word,' and spontaneously suggested a screen test. She laughed, saying she’s not usually someone who has a 'potty mouth,' but she has been praised for perfectly embodying the character.

Uggams, who won a Tony Award for the Broadway musical 'Hallelujah, Baby!' in 1967, is also set to appear in episode 7 of the recent HBO series 'The Gilded Age.' She humorously described her character as 'a meddler who loves to stir the pot.'

Reflecting on her journey from performing on stage with Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald at the Apollo Theater at the age of 9 to the present, Uggams concluded the interview with, 'I’m just a working baby. I’m happy.' Her endless passion showcases the true spirit of an artist that transcends age, inspiring many.