Leslie Uggams to announce shock retirement from acting?

Sad news for Uggams fans. Speculation had been rife that the American actress is about to announce her retirement from acting, at age 82, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 20/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an actress isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an actress-singer just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouLeslie

For a little while on Thursday evening, #ThankYouLeslie was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“Leslie Uggams was unlike any other actress we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouLeslie”
— @universalObserver, 19 Mar 2026

“Uggams wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 19 Mar 2026

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