Iconic, groundbreaking actress and comedienne Mary Tyler Moore has died at the age of 80. First rising to fame as Laura Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show, she went on to star in movies ranging from Thoroughly Modern Millie to Change of Habit (with Elvis Presley), and gained global acclaim for her against-type performances in Ordinary People and Flirting with Disaster. Arguably she reached the pinnacle of success with The Mary Tyler Moore Show her paradigm-shifting 1970-77 sitcom that firmly cemented her reputation as one of Hollywood’s most talented figures. (Her production company, MTM Enterprises, is responsible for a stunning amount of TV classics, including The Bob Newhart Show, Rhoda, Phyllis, Lou Grant, and WKRP in Cincinnati). As busy as she was on-screen, she also worked tirelessly for diabetes and animal rights charities.
Moore is one of those iconic figures whose impact upon not only the entertainment industry but culture at large will continue to be felt for years to come. It’s a sentiment that will doubtlessly be repeated much throughout the coming days, but she truly could turn the world on with a smile.
Mary Tyler Moore 1936-2017