Legendary actress Mary Tyler Moore has died at the age of 80. She starred in popular television sitcom roles throughout the ’60s and ’70s and many feature films, including her Oscar-nominated role in Ordinary People. She co-starred alongside Dick Van Dyke on The Dick Van Dyke Show, and is best known for her iconic role as Mary Richards on the Emmy-winning The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Mary Tyler’s character was the first female character on television to be a young, independent, career woman. She inspired millions of women in the role. Moore was also passionate advocate for diabetes (which she had) and animals, and was involved in many charities. She also set up a highly-successful production company that produced such shows as Hill Street Blues.
Mary Tyler Moore’s longtime rep, Mara Buxbaum, issued a statement to TMZ saying: “Today, beloved icon Mary Tyler Moore passed away at the age of 80 in the company of friends and her loving husband of over 33 years, Dr. S. Robert Levine. A groundbreaking actress, producer, and passionate advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Mary will be remembered as a fearless visionary who turned the world on with her smile.”
And here’s a fun clip of Oprah Winfrey explaining what an inspiration The Mary Tyler Moore Show was to her and Moore’s surprise appearance on her show.
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