Remembering Mary Tyler Moore

Mary Tyler Moore passed away earlier this week on January 25th, at the age of 80. She was a thoroughly modern woman in her time and she will be missed.

“There are certain things about me that I will never tell to anyone because I am a very private person. But basically what you see is who I am. I’m independent, I do like to be liked, I do look for the good side of life and people. I’m positive, I’m disciplined, I like my life in order, and I’m neat as a pin. I love order and discipline. God, I sound like a Nazi don’t I?” {Source: IMDb}

I remember, as a young kid, watching her as Mary Richards in Rhoda (1974-1977) and then in Mary Tyler Moore (1970-1977), even watching some of these episodes as re-runs. I loved it when she tossed her hat up in the air! She was so carefree and independent as Mary Richards.

[on throwing her hat in the air for the title shots for Mary Tyler Moore (1970)]: “It was a hat that my aunt had given me for Christmas, and I brought it with me because they said: ‘Be sure and dress warm. It’s going to be freezing in Minneapolis.’ So – I forget which writer it was – but we were all outside, and he said: ‘You know what would be good? If you take that hat, the beret, and throw it in the air.’ ” {Source: IMDb}

I loved watching re-runs of her in The Dick Van Dyke Show.

She also guest starred in That 70’s Show, Lipstick Jungle, and Hot In Cleveland.

{ Images borrowed from 1 // 2 // 3 }

She was a vocal advocate, particularly with animal issues and diabetes. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during the early run of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Not only was she an actress, but she was an author.  She wrote two memoirs. In the first, After All, published in 1995, she acknowledged that she was a recovering alcoholic, while in Growing Up Again: Life, Loves, and Oh Yeah, Diabetes (2009), she focuses on living with type 1 diabetes.

What is your favorite Mary Tyler Moore role, whether it be from TV or movies?

Yours Truly,
Vanessa