Mary Tyler Moore,the legendary actress whose career has spanned several decades, celebrates her 75th birthday today.
The renowned actress, who may be partly responsible for ushering America into the television age, made her acting debut in the 1950’s as a dancing elf in Hotpoint appliance commercials.
Best known for roles in television sitcoms, Moore captured America’s heart in her role as Laura Petrie, the wife of Dick Van Dyke on the 1960s series “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (1961–66). She later went on to star in her most famous role as Mary Richards on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1970–77).
Moore also appeared in a number of films, most notably the 1980’s drama “Ordinary People”, for which her performance earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
Despite being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and surviving brain surgery, Moore has spent her later days championing causes such as animal rights and diabetes mellitus type 1. The actress, who also suffered from alcoholism, underwent brain surgery to remove a benign meningioma.
For a reminder or an introduction to what made Mary Tyler Moore an American sweetheart, take a look at this famous Chuckles the Clown scene from The Mary Tyler Moore Show:
