‘Deadpool’ Star Leslie Uggams on Her Career Renaissance at 81 (Exclusive)

Leslie Uggams embraces her legendary status.

The 81-year-old actress, who plays Blind Al in the Death Pole film franchise, spoke to PEOPLE at the world premiere of Deadpool and Wolverine in New York City on Monday, July 22, about the small career renaissance she’s experiencing at this point in her life.

“(It’s) because I’m fantastic,” the Emmy and Tony winner jokes, adding, “It’s amazing material that I’ve been able to do, and we’ve Falloutthat’s another one I’m doing.”

Uggams also says she “couldn’t wait to get back” to the Death Pole universe starring Ryan Reynolds and franchise newcomer Hugh Jackman.

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“I missed Ryan, and then we have Hugh Jackman, and that amazing dog. I’m in love with the dog. So it was amazing. It was like we’d never been away,” she enthuses.

When asked to choose between Deadpool and Wolverine, Uggams said the former “comes first” because he’s “my buddy,” but the friendship between Reynolds, 47, and Jackman, 55, on set was “spectacular” to watch.

“You could feel the brotherhood when they were on set together. It was amazing,” she says.

Uggams has played Blind Al, the roommate of Reynolds’ Wade Wilson/Deadpool, since the wisecracking superhero’s first standalone film in 2016. The New York-born actor reprised her role in Deadpool2 (2018), and is back in Deadpool and Wolverine.

Ahead of the new film’s release, Uggams also recently spoke to PEOPLE about her upcoming role in a hilarious Old Spice commercial.

Of the brand’s Total Body Deodorant ad, the actress joked that it’s “perfect because God knows (Deadpool) needs every kind of freshness,” adding with a laugh, “You can imagine what poor Blind Al went through before she found him this product that goes from his armpits to his toes.”

For Deadpool and WolverineAt this week’s premiere, Uggams also said she planned to be “dressed to the nines” and no doubt smelling delicious while watching the film.

“I’m looking forward to it because I have no idea what I’m going to see,” she told PEOPLE. “So I’ll be sitting there in the audience, just as full of anticipation and surprise as everyone else.”

Deadpool and Wolverine is in theaters from Friday, July 26.