2016 was largely known for its insane amount of celebrity deaths, with a whopping 22 celebrities passing on, including legends like Alan Rickman, Carrie Fisher, and Gene Wilder. And while this is one of 2016's main legacies, these unfortunate celebrity passings are something we can expect from every calendar year. Now 2017 has taken its first icon in the form of legendary TV star Mary Tyler Moore.
According to TMZ, Mary Tyler Moore has passed away at the age of 80 at a Connecticut hospital. The actress had a long history with diabetes, and was reportedly hospitalized after being in "grave condition". It has also been reported that Moore has been admitted a while ago, and had been using a respirator for over a week's time. This is not the first time that the beloved TV icon had been hospitalized in recent years, as Moore also underwent brain surgery in 2011, and had been reported as having heart, liver, and eye problems in recent years.
Mary Tyler Moore is a true icon of TV and comedy, and has been active in the scene since the 1960's. During this time, Moore regularly appeared on the popular sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, and would ultimately film a whopping 158 episodes over five years. This career making role would ultimately win Moore an Emmy Award, as well as elevate her to a fashion icon.
From there, Mary Tyler Moore was given a show of her very own, appropriately titled The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The show was massively popular for TV audiences, and inspired not one, but two spinoffs. The show ran for seven seasons, before being suddenly cancelled in 1977. Still, the show was a record holder for the most Emmy wins with 29 statues, although this was eventually broken by Frasier winning 30.
Following her work in sitcoms Mary Tyler Moore would transition to variety shows, including The Mary Tyler Moore Hour. Rather than a full on variety show, The Mary Tyler Moore Hour combined elements of variety and sitcom. Before mockumentary series like 30 Rock made it cool, audiences were privy to a "behind the scenes" look at all the antics which go into producing each episode.
Aside from her work in TV, film, and theater, Mary Tyler Moore also did a ton of charity work with her time in the spotlight. Moore was the International Chairman for the JDRF, helping to raise money and awareness of juvenile diabetes. She was also an animal rights activist, assisting homeless animals to find loving home.
Mary Tyler Moore's death is sure to affect the generations of fans who grew up loving her. In a time where female actresses were typically not savy business women with multiple ventures, Moore proved that women were just as capable and lucrative as male actors. For that, and all of the laughs she brought audiences, we thank her.
Our thoughts are with Mary Tyler Moore's loved ones at this time.
