Mary Tyler Moore passed away this morning at the age of 80. Word came in from her representative, Mara Buxbaum that the actress had passed away" in the company of friends and her loving husband," according to CNN.
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Moore was best known for her roles as Laura Petrie in "The Dick Van Dyke Show," and as a journalist called Mary Richards in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." The brunette beauty was well known for her comedic style as well as her all-American beauty.
Moore began her career as a dancer doing television commercials for Hotpoint appliances. She had several small roles after that, but her big break came when she was cast opposite Dick Van Dyke in 1961 as Laura Petrie.
In 1969 she formed the production company MTM with her then-husband Grant Tinker, and together they produced the Mary Tyler Moore show. For those who remember it, the kitten in the logo is a nod to MGM and its Lion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zfti7b31rs
Moore's life fell spectacularly apart in 1980 when her son died of an accidental gunshot wound. Shortly afterward she got a divorce from Grant Tinker. In 1981 she committed herself to the Betty Ford center for treatment for diabetes and alcoholism.
Not one to be defeated, however, Moore recovered and in 1983 she married Dr. Robert Levine, with whom she was married for 33 years.
Moore, who was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 33, did charity work for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She was also a dedicated animal rights activist.
Moore had been ill from complications from diabetes for the past few years. She had gone almost completely blind and had been put on a respirator just last week.
