Remembering Mary Tyler Moore

Mary Tyler Moore, who died Jan. 25 of complications from pneumonia at age 80, got her big career break in 1961, when she was cast as Dick Van Dyke’s wife, Laura, on The Dick Van Dyke Show.

- Dick Van Dyke

 

She went on to win seven Emmys and redefine the image of women on television in Mary Tyler Moore. Here, Van Dyke remembers his friend of six decades.

She was 23 years old, gorgeous, of course, and had a kind of mid- Atlantic accent. She sounded a little bit like Katharine Hepburn. My first question was, “Can this girl do comedy?” After that I said, “She’s a little young for me.” I got to be on hand and watch her grow into the talent she became. She was just the best.