Mary Tyler Moore: A Biography

Virginia Heffernan wrote The New York Times obituary for Mary Tyler Moore. In it, she captured the essence of who Mary Richards was and how her character changed the lives of the world. Ms. Moore almost didn’t want the role as the single, independent, working woman because of Laura Petrie. She felt that the audience wouldn’t respond to Mary Richards the same way they did to Laura Petrie. Luckily, the audience did not see Mary Tyler Moore playing the role of Laura Petrie; they saw what she intended them to—a remarkable, strong, self-reliant individual who, like the theme song said, would “make it after all.”


As the series developed, and Ms. Moore and the cast became more cohesive and connected, she became what Heffernan referred to as “the exuberance and melancholy of the single career woman who could plot her own course without reference to cultural archetypes.” She was the sweet, helpful woman in the office; however, Mary Tyler Moore said she played herself and not allowing her to convey that aspect would take away part of who Mary Richards was. On the other hand, although some taboo subjects of the day were written in a subtle way into scripts, and the dialogue conveyed the message without a doubt. Mary Richards even went to jail for not revealing a source. She was a force with which to be reckoned; yet, she kept her sweetness integrated with her strength. Mary was a feminist even though she wasn’t trying to be.


Discover Inside More of Mary Tyler Moore:



- Elves Can’t Have Baby Bumps

- People Listened to Her

- The Other Faces of Mary Tyler Moore

- Smiles Through Many Tears

- Laughter and Smiles Until the End

- The Legacy She Never Intended to Leave Behind

- And More…!