No more calling Miss Cleo for spiritual advice. The iconic ’90s TV psychic has died, her rep confirms.
Cleo, whose real name was Youree Harris, passed away earlier today in Palm Beach County, Florida. She was 53 years old.
Related: Miss Cleo: From Psychic Readings to Gay Activism
Cleo was originally diagnosed with colon cancer that spread to her liver and lungs. She entered into hospice care last week. Her rep said she remained a “pillar of strength” throughout her illness and passed away with friends and family by her bedside.
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Despite being born in Los Angeles, Miss Cleo’s became a cult figure in the late ’90s and early ’00s playing a Jamaican TV psychic known for her catchphrase, “CALL ME NOW!”
In 2006, she came out as a lesbian. At the time, she said she was inspired to do so by her teenage godson, who is also gay.
Related: Telephone Psychic Miss Cleo Stages An Unlikely Comeback, Still “Gay As A Two Dollar Bill”
“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. “It’s a different vibe than when I was his age, being raised Catholic in an all-girls boarding school. But he was afraid of nothing, and I thought, I can’t be a hypocrite. This boy is going to force me to put my money where my mouth is.”
Rest in peace, Miss Cleo.
bottom250
You think she would have seen it coming.
antgalva
@bottom250: she did see it coming that’s why she called herself before she kicked the bucket. Make a few more bucks before death
Stache
When you enter a hospice care you don’t need a Psychic to tell you that your cards are up.
Xzamilio
I can’t believe y’all are joking about someone dying… especially when I wanted to be the first one to do so!!!
NateOcean
@bottom250: I predicted somebody would say this.
Black Pegasus
@Xzamilio: LMAO!
Hussain-TheCanadian
Ah man this is really sad, I grew up watching Ms. Cleo – Loved her and loved her fake Jamaican accent – RIP!!
Kangol
Rest in Portents & Omens, Miss Cleo.
Bob LaBlah
Personally I would have preferred to hear and see her godson. He was clearly the only one with sense in her world.
o.codone
@Hussain-TheCanadian: Why don’t you fill in for her now that she’s gone. “Hussain the Muslim can read your cards, for a free look at your future call her now”. You’re perfect for the job man.
Garth
Wait ! She may send a message from the other side.
Hussain-TheCanadian
@o.codone: That would be hilarious; I don’t think my Canadian, Scottish laced accent will do me any favors though (big smile).
Would you agree to screen the calls for me?
Charlie in Charge
A very sad loss, she was a lot of fun and as a tarot reader who got his start in the early ’90s she normalized the cards for a lot of people. When someone found out you’re a reader they would smile and say “Call me now for your freeeeee reeeeeading!”
She got a lot of completely unfair negativity when the company for whom she filmed those commercials had to pay people for misrepresenting the costs of the readings. Maddening that she would get the blame for this when she was only the woman in the commercials.
She was so fun and she will be missed.
MediaGuy
@Hussain-TheCanadian: re the accent, we’ll just switch the paradigm, don’t worry, it will catch on right away. yes, i’ll get their life history while they’re on hold. (i need a new 7 class).