Mary Tyler Moore Has Died Aged 80
Iconic actress Mary Tyler Moore has died today aged 80.
Moore’s representatives released the following statement announcing her death: “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,” read Mara Buxbaum. “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.”
Reports say the actress’ death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest after contracting pneumonia.
Moore is best known for The Mary Tyler Moore Show which debuted in 1970 and starred the actress as Mary Richard. The 30 something career woman who worked at a Minneapolis TV station was seen as one of the first true feminist roles on television. In fact the series was hailed by feminists and fans alike as the first modern woman’s sitcom.
However it was her role on the Dick Van Dyke Show that really shot her to stardom. She played Laura Petrie, the wife on the show which ran for five seasons beginning in 1961.
One of Moore’s last last public appearances was on an episode of ABC’s Katie with Katie Couric in 2013 (see below), where she reunited with her former Mary Tyler Moore Show co-stars Valerie Harper, Betty White, Cloris Leachman and Georgia Engel.
On reuniting with Harper the legendary actress said: “It’s wonderful to reunite with Harper, but it makes me sad too. It makes me feel, well, why don’t I have this in my current life? Where are all these friends, buddies, and co-workers, and people who loved each other? Why can’t they be around? Or maybe they can,” she said.
Moore had been living with type 1 diabetes since the The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and underwent elective brain surgery in 2011 to remove a benign meningioma.
In 1955 the actress married Richard Carleton Meeker and the following year gave birth to their son, Richard Jr. The couple divorced in 1961 and the following year she married CBS executive, Grant Tinker. Moore and Tinker divorced in 1981, a year after her son died after accidentally shooting himself while handling a shotgun.
Her latest marriage was in 1983 when she married Dr. Robert Levine.
RIP Tyler Moore and thank you for a lifetime of beautiful memories.
Photos: Getty images
Chrystal Lovevintage
Chrystal is a writer and blogger who loves nothing more than watching back to back episodes of crime shows. Should she ever find herself needing to cover up a crime, she'll know exactly what to do! Her dream is to one day live in Palm Springs where she can do her writing poolside while drinking endless gin and tonics. Mum to the cutest twin boys in the world, she loves nothing more than the sound of their laughter (usually heard when they're conspiring against her). Entertainment writer and pop culture junkie, she will be bringing you all the celebrity gossip and news that your brain can handle. You can follow her blog at https://lovechrystal.com.au and on Instagram at Chrystalovevintage
