Full Name: Mary Tyler Moore
Date of Birth: December 29, 1936
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, USA
Date of Death: January 25, 2017
Occupation: Actress, Producer, Activist
Years Active: 1957–2015
Early Life and Career Beginnings:
Mary Tyler Moore was born in Brooklyn and raised in Los Angeles. She began her career in entertainment as a dancer and commercial actress. Her first notable break came in the late 1950s when she played the role of a secretary on the TV series Richard Diamond, Private Detective — though only her legs and voice were shown.
Rise to Fame:
The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966):
Moore became a household name as Laura Petrie, the charming, stylish, and witty wife of Rob Petrie (played by Dick Van Dyke).
The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977):
This groundbreaking sitcom starred Moore as Mary Richards, a single, career-driven woman working in a Minneapolis newsroom. The show was revolutionary in its depiction of an independent woman not defined by her relationships with men, and it tackled serious issues like gender equality, pay gaps, and newsroom ethics — all within a smart comedic framework.
Film Career:
Moore appeared in several films, including:
- Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)
- Change of Habit (1969) with Elvis Presley
- Ordinary People (1980) – critically acclaimed dramatic role, Oscar nomination for Best Actress
- Six Weeks (1982)
Her performance in Ordinary People, directed by Robert Redford, showed a stark contrast to her earlier, lighter TV roles, proving her depth as a dramatic actress.
Awards and Honors:
- 7 Primetime Emmy Awards
- Golden Globe Award
- Academy Award nomination (Best Actress, Ordinary People)
- Tony Award nomination
- Received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (2012)
- Honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012 by President Barack Obama
Activism and Advocacy:
Moore was a passionate advocate for diabetes research after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in her early 30s. She served as International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and raised millions for research.
She was also an animal rights activist, working with organizations such as Farm Sanctuary.
Personal Life:
Moore was married three times, most notably to TV executive Grant Tinker, with whom she co-founded MTM Enterprises, the company behind The Mary Tyler Moore Show and other classic series. She had one son, Richard Meeker Jr., who tragically died in 1980.
Death and Legacy:
Mary Tyler Moore passed away on January 25, 2017, due to cardiopulmonary arrest caused by complications from pneumonia and diabetes.
She left an indelible legacy in both entertainment and activism. Moore changed the face of television, paving the way for generations of female leads and creators, and remains a cultural icon for her intelligence, elegance, humor, and resilience.
