A look at the life, struggles, and legacy of one of TV’s most beloved icons

Most celebrities entertain us for a while, but there are some in our hearts for a lifetime. Mary Tyler Moore belongs here for sure. Mary Tyler Moore was a legend with a capital “L.” For millions of fans, she represented resilience, strength, humor, and independence, qualities that went far beyond her acting career.

America’s fascination with one of television icons, the screen would light up, combined with a beautiful smile, redefining the strength and courage possessed in fighting her battles with diabetes and other personal struggles, while continuing her evolution as the consummate performer.

The Breakthrough Role: The Dick Van Dyke Show

Mary’s biggest breakthrough came when she was cast as Laura Petrie, the wife of comedy writer Rob Petrie, played by Dick Van Dyke, in his self-titled show, The Dick Van Dyke Show.

Debuting in 1961 and running for five seasons, it became one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history. Mary would win three Emmy Awards and establish herself as one of television’s brightest and most beloved stars.

After The Dick Van Dyke Show

After the Dick Van Dyke Show ended, Mary had moderate success and failure in a Broadway musical with Dr. Kildare’s Richard Chamberlain, based on the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which closed before previews.

Mary did movies with Julie Andrews in the musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, George Peppard in What’s So Bad About Feeling Good, Robert Wagner in Don’t Just Stand There, and Elvis Presley, yes, Elvis in Change of Habit, playing a nun.

The Role That Proved Her Dramatic Talent

After The Mary Tyler Moore Show ended, she spent time reading, doing crossword puzzles, and doing anything to keep busy. When on occasional walks on the beach, she would see Robert Redford in passing. Never talking; he had the rights to Judith Guest’s best-selling novel, Ordinary People, and chose it for his directorial debut.

Apparently, he saw something in Mary; she never saw herself and considered her the mother, Beth Jarrett. The character was a cold, complex, emotionally distant mother dealing with a family tragedy. Discussions went back and forth, but no concrete plans for almost a year, but studios finally agreed, Mary was in.

Ordinary People and Critical Recognition

It became the role of a lifetime. Critics and colleagues believed she was certain to receive an Oscar nomination. She won a Golden Globe and was widely praised for Redford’s direction. Oscar nominations were richly well-deserved; sadly, Sissy Spacek stole Mary’s thunder and won Best Actress, whereas Ordinary People won Best Picture and Best Director.

What would happen next was totally unexpected…

Life Beyond Television

After Ordinary People and separation from Grant Tinker, Mary returned to her New York roots. One early morning, Mary’s worst nightmare happened; Grant called with devastating news: their son Richie had died in an accidental gunshot incident. It became so surreal, life imitated art.

Work, Loss, and Moving Forward

Throwing herself into work, she accepted a changing sex reversal as a paraplegic in the Broadway play, Whose Life Is It Anyway, portraying it to perfection, resulting in a special Tony for her contribution to its current season. It was quite a challenge, leaning on her dance exercises, the ability to lie still for performances was key.

Also, she did a few films: Six Weeks and Just Between Friends with Ted Danson, as well as HBO’s Finnegan Begin Again with Robert Preston, ABC’s Heartsounds with James Garner, a reunion with Dick Van Dyke in a PBS TV adaptation of The Gin Game, and many others for years to come.

Love Again

Eventually, finding love again through an encounter with a younger Jewish cardiologist, Robert Levine, tending to her mother at a local emergency room, suffering from a bronchial infection after a visit to Vatican City and a visit with the Pope prior to her parents’ return to California. They fell in love and married for 33 years.

Her Final Television Appearances

Mary’s last two television performances were on friend Betty White’s TV Land’s Hot in Cleveland. One was a reunion with her Mary Tyler Moore castmates, Cloris Leachman, Valerie Harper, and Georgia Engel. Also, she was presented the Screen Actors’ Guild Life Achievement Award in 2012 by Dick Van Dyke.