Profile of the Day: Mary Tyler Moore

Posted December 29, 2015 by Amanda | No Comment

Mary Tyler Moore

Happy birthday to Mary Tyler Moore! Today the actress turns 79.

The oldest of three siblings, Mary Tyler Moore was born on December 29, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York to Marjorie Hackett and George Tyler Moore. Her paternal great grandfather was Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Tighman Moore, a commander in the Confederate States Army. In 1861, Moore had offered his home in Winchester, Virginia to serve as the headquarters for Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. Today, the home is now the Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters Museum and contains the largest collection of Jackson memorabilia.

She started her career on television as a dancer in a series of commercials for the home appliance “Happy Hotpoint” during the 1950s. In 1961, she became one of television’s most beloved stars when she landed the role of Laura Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show. Her comedic talent won audiences over and led to her most popular role as the star of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The groundbreaking series was an instant hit and earned Moore three Emmy Awards.

Do you remember watching Mary Tyler Moore on television? Explore her family tree on Geni and discover how you’re related to the star.