Career Timeline of Mary Tyler Moore: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Mary Tyler Moore made an impact.

Mary Tyler Moore was a celebrated American actress, producer, and social advocate. She gained prominence through her roles in *The Dick Van Dyke Show* and, most notably, *The Mary Tyler Moore Show*, which significantly impacted the portrayal of women in American television and resonated with audiences navigating modern challenges. Throughout her career, Moore received numerous accolades, including seven Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. She earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance in *Ordinary People*. Beyond her acting career, Moore was actively involved in advocating for animal rights, vegetarianism, and diabetes awareness and research.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1955: Television Career Begins

In 1955, Mary Tyler Moore's television career began as "Happy Hotpoint" in TV commercials. She was also married in 1955 at age 18.

1957: Film Debut

In 1957, Mary Tyler Moore made her film debut as a nurse in the Jack Lemmon comedy Operation Mad Ball.

September 1960: Guest Starred in Johnny Staccato

In September 1960, Mary Tyler Moore guest-starred in John Cassavetes' NBC detective series Johnny Staccato, and also in the series premiere of The Tab Hunter Show.

December 1960: Bachelor Father Episode

In December 1960, Mary Tyler Moore appeared in the Bachelor Father episode "Bentley and the Big Board".

1961: Various TV Appearances

In 1961, Mary Tyler Moore appeared in several roles in movies and on television, including Bourbon Street Beat; 77 Sunset Strip; Surfside 6; Wanted: Dead or Alive with Steve McQueen; Steve Canyon; Hawaiian Eye; Thriller and Lock-Up.

1961: The Dick Van Dyke Show

In 1961, Mary Tyler Moore starred on The Dick Van Dyke Show.

1961: First Speaking Part in X-15

In 1961, Mary Tyler Moore's first speaking part came in X-15.

February 1962: Straightaway Episode

In February 1962, Mary Tyler Moore appeared in an episode of Straightaway.

December 1966: Breakfast at Tiffany's Musical Flop

In December 1966, Mary Tyler Moore starred in a new musical version of Breakfast at Tiffany's, titled Holly Golightly, which was a flop and closed in previews before opening on Broadway.

1966: End of The Dick Van Dyke Show

In 1966, Mary Tyler Moore finished her role in the Dick Van Dyke show.

1967: Thoroughly Modern Millie

In 1967, Mary Tyler Moore appeared in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

1968: Films with George Peppard and Robert Wagner

In 1968, Mary Tyler Moore appeared in What's So Bad About Feeling Good? with George Peppard, and Don't Just Stand There! with Robert Wagner.

1969: Forms MTM Enterprises

In 1969, Mary Tyler Moore and Grant Tinker formed the television production company MTM Enterprises.

1969: MTM Enterprises Founded

In 1969, Mary Tyler Moore and her husband Grant Tinker founded MTM Enterprises, Inc., which produced The Mary Tyler Moore Show and other successful television shows and films.

1969: Change of Habit with Elvis Presley

In 1969, Mary Tyler Moore starred opposite Elvis Presley as a nun in Change of Habit.

1969: Run a Crooked Mile

In 1969, Mary Tyler Moore was in the television movie Run a Crooked Mile.

1970: The Mary Tyler Moore Show Pitched

In 1970, Mary Tyler Moore and her husband Grant Tinker successfully pitched a sitcom centered on Moore to CBS, leading to The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

January 22, 1976: Mary's Incredible Dream Airs

On January 22, 1976, Mary Tyler Moore appeared in Mary's Incredible Dream, an experimental musical/variety special for CBS.

1977: The Mary Tyler Moore Show Concludes

In 1977, Mary Tyler Moore finished her role in the Mary Tyler Moore show.

1978: CBS Special Airs

In 1978, Mary Tyler Moore starred in a second CBS special, How to Survive the '70s and Maybe Even Bump Into Happiness.

1978: First, You Cry

In 1978, Mary Tyler Moore starred in the television movie First, You Cry, which brought her an Emmy nomination.

March 1979: The Mary Tyler Moore Hour Debuts

In March 1979, CBS brought Mary Tyler Moore back in a new, retooled show, The Mary Tyler Moore Hour, a "sit-var" that lasted just 11 episodes.

February 24, 1980: Whose Life Is It Anyway? Opens on Broadway

On February 24, 1980, Mary Tyler Moore starred in Whose Life Is It Anyway? which opened on Broadway at the Royale Theatre.

1980: Special Tony Award

In 1980, Mary Tyler Moore received a Special Tony Award for her performance in Whose Life Is It Anyway?

1980: Ordinary People

In 1980, Mary Tyler Moore starred in the drama Ordinary People and received an Oscar nomination.

February 1981: Nomination for Academy Award

In February 1981, Mary Tyler Moore was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Ordinary People.

1982: Six Weeks

In 1982, Mary Tyler Moore appeared in the film Six Weeks.

1984: Tony and Drama Desk Nominations

In 1984, Mary Tyler Moore received nominations for Tony Awards and Drama Desk Awards for MTM's productions of Noises Off.

1984: Heartsounds

In 1984, Mary Tyler Moore starred in the medical drama Heartsounds with James Garner, which brought her another Emmy nomination.

1985: Mary Sitcom on CBS

In 1985, Mary Tyler Moore returned to CBS in a sitcom titled Mary, which suffered from poor reviews and was cancelled.

1985: Finnegan Begin Again

In 1985, Mary Tyler Moore starred in Finnegan Begin Again with Robert Preston, which earned her a CableACE Award nomination.

1985: Tony Award

In 1985, Mary Tyler Moore won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play or Musical for Joe Egg.

1986: Just Between Friends

In 1986, Mary Tyler Moore appeared in the film Just Between Friends.

1986: Television Hall of Fame Induction

In 1986, Mary Tyler Moore was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.

January 8, 1987: Sweet Sue Opens on Broadway

On January 8, 1987, Mary Tyler Moore starred in Sweet Sue, which opened at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway.

1987: Lifetime Achievement Award

In 1987, Mary Tyler Moore received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy from the American Comedy Awards.

1988: MTM Enterprises Sold

In 1988, MTM Enterprises was sold to Television South, an ITV Franchise holder.

1988: Lincoln

In 1988, Mary Tyler Moore starred in the mini-series Lincoln, which brought her another Emmy nomination for playing Mary Todd Lincoln.

1992: Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 1992, Mary Tyler Moore's contributions to the television industry were recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1993: Emmy Award for Stolen Babies

In 1993, Mary Tyler Moore won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in Stolen Babies.

1995: Donation to Shepherd College

In 1995, Mary Tyler Moore donated funds to acquire an historic structure in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, for Shepherd College (now Shepherd University) to be used as a center for Civil War studies, in honor of her father.

1995: After All Memoir Published

In 1995, Mary Tyler Moore published her first memoir, After All, in which she acknowledged being a recovering alcoholic.

1995: Cast in New York News

In 1995, Mary Tyler Moore was cast as Louise "the Dragon" Felcott on the CBS drama New York News.

1996: Appeared on Ellen

In 1996, Mary Tyler Moore appeared as herself on an episode of the Ellen DeGeneres sitcom Ellen.

1996: Flirting with Disaster

In 1996, Mary Tyler Moore appeared in the independent hit Flirting with Disaster.

2000: Mary and Rhoda Reunion

In 2000, Mary Tyler Moore reunited with Valerie Harper in Mary and Rhoda.

2001: Guest Appearance on The Ellen Show

In 2001, Mary Tyler Moore guest-starred on Ellen DeGeneres's The Ellen Show.

2001: Like Mother, Like Son

In 2001, Mary Tyler Moore starred in Like Mother, Like Son, playing convicted murderer Sante Kimes.

May 8, 2002: Statue Dedication in Minneapolis

On May 8, 2002, a statue of Mary Richards, Mary Tyler Moore's character in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, was dedicated in downtown Minneapolis.

December 2003: Quits Rose's Dilemma

In December 2003, Mary Tyler Moore quit the Neil Simon play Rose's Dilemma after receiving a critical letter from Simon.

2003: The Gin Game

In 2003, Mary Tyler Moore starred in The Gin Game with Dick Van Dyke.

2004: Dick Van Dyke Show Reunion

In 2004, Mary Tyler Moore reunited with her Dick Van Dyke Show castmates for a reunion special, The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited.

2006: Guest Star on That '70s Show

In 2006, Mary Tyler Moore guest-starred on three episodes of the Fox sitcom That '70s Show as Christine St. George.

2007: "Forever Moore" research initiative created

In 2007, the JDRF created the "Forever Moore" research initiative in honor of Mary Tyler Moore's dedication to the Foundation. This program supports research and development of new treatments and technologies for type 1 diabetes.

2009: Growing Up Again Published

In 2009, Mary Tyler Moore published Growing Up Again: Life, Loves, and Oh Yeah, Diabetes, focusing on living with type 1 diabetes.

2011: Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2011, Mary Tyler Moore was awarded the Screen Actors Guild's lifetime achievement award.

2012: Ride of Fame Honor

In New York City in 2012, Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters were honored by the Ride of Fame, and a double-decker bus was dedicated to them and their charity work for "Broadway Barks".

2013: Hot in Cleveland Reunion

In the fall of 2013, Mary Tyler Moore reprised her role on Hot in Cleveland, reuniting with Betty White and former Mary Tyler Moore Show cast members.