What Was Mary Tyler Moore's Net Worth and Salary?
Mary Tyler Moore was an American actress, model, producer, and humanitarian who had a net worth of $60 million at the time of her death on January 25, 2017. Mary Tyler Moore rose to prominence during the 1960s and 1970s, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Moore's career spanned over five decades, and her talent, beauty, and comedic timing made her one of the most beloved and influential figures in television history.
Moore gained nationwide recognition for her role as Laura Petrie on "The Dick Van Dyke Show," which aired from 1961 to 1966. Her portrayal of the witty, independent housewife showcased her natural comedic abilities and earned her critical acclaim. However, it was her groundbreaking role as Mary Richards in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" that solidified her status as a television trailblazer. The show, which ran from 1970 to 1977, depicted Mary as a single, career-oriented woman, challenging traditional gender roles and empowering women across the nation.
Beyond her television success, Moore starred in notable films such as "Ordinary People," for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Additionally, she ventured into producing and co-founded MTM Enterprises, which produced successful TV series like "The Bob Newhart Show" and "Hill Street Blues." Throughout her career, Mary Tyler Moore received numerous accolades, including seven Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild. She was admired for her talent, professionalism, and dedication to her craft.
Early Life and Career
Mary Tyler Moore was born on December 29, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York. Her father was a clerk and was of Anglican descent. On her father's side, she was related to a colonel who fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. She was of Anglican descent on her mother's side. She grew up in a rented apartment in Queens and attended St. Rose of Lima Parochial School. Mary was the oldest of her three siblings, and they were raised Catholic. When she was 8 years old, her family moved to Los Angeles, California. Moore went to Saint Ambrose School and then the private Catholic school Immaculate Heart High School. Mary's sister died at the age of 21 from an overdose of painkillers, and her brother passed away from kidney cancer when he was 47 years old.
Moore's first job in television was as "Happy Hotpoint," a dancing elf who appeared in commercials for the Hotpoint Appliance company. The commercials aired during "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." Within five days of being Happy Hotpoint, Mary had made $6,000, which would be the equivalent of around $58,300 in current USD. She became pregnant shortly after working on the commercials and took a lighter workload for a few years. In the mid-1960s, she modeled anonymously for record album covers and had some uncredited appearances in films. In 1959, she was cast as a secretary for ten episodes of the action television series "Richard Diamond, Private Detective," and that year, she had guest star appearances on the television shows "Bronco" and "Bourbon Street Beat." In 1960, Mary was featured on episodes of ten different television series, including "77 Sunset Strip," "Wanted: Dead or Alive," "The Tab Hunter Show," "Bachelor Father," and "The Millionaire."
"The Dick Van Dyke Show"
Moore's big break came when Carl Reiner cast her in his upcoming television series "The Dick Van Dyke Show" in 1961. "The Dick Van Dyke Show" follows the life of the title character as he manages his career as a comedy writer and his personal life. The show ran from 1961 to 1966 and won 15 Emmy Awards out of 25 nominations. For her work on the show, Moore won two Emmy Awards. On the show, her character often wore clothing similar to Jackie Kennedy, increasing the character's popularity.
A year after the show concluded, Mary starred alongside Julie Andrews in the Oscar-winning comedy musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie." In 1969, she co-starred with Elvis Presley in the crime drama film "Change of Habit.
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"The Mary Tyler Moore Show"
In 1970, Moore got her own spin-off of the "The Dick Van Dyke Show" called "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." The sitcom followed a similar theme, with Moore's character working at a newsroom with Ed Asner playing the role of her stern boss, Lou Grant. The show was a huge success, and over the course of its seven-year run, it won 29 Emmy Awards. Its popularity matched the "The Dick Van Dyke Show," and it led to spin-off series for three other cast members: Ed Asner, Valerie Harper, and Cloris Leachman. For her work, Moore won three Emmy Awards.
While filming "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," she made guest appearances on the television shows "Phyllis," "Rhoda," and "Mary." In 1979, Moore starred in the one-season television series "The Mary Tyler Moore Hour," which was nominated for an Emmy. The following year, she had a leading role in the film "Ordinary People," which won four Oscars. In 1985, she was cast in the CBS series "Mary," but it suffered from internal conflict and poor ratings and only lasted a season. She finished the eighties with appearances in the series "Annie McGuire" and the television miniseries "Lincoln."
Film and Other Works
In addition to her successful television career, Moore made a number of appearances in film, television movies, and theater. She starred in the 1976 fantasy musical television movie "Mary's Incredible Dream," which was nominated for three Emmy Awards. In 1978, she starred in the Golden Globe-nominated biographical drama "First, You Cry," and in 1982, she led the drama "Six Weeks," which was nominated for two Golden Globes. Moore spent most of the nineties starring in television movies, including "The Last Best Year," "Stolen Babies," and "Payback." She had a supporting role in the 1996 comedy "Flirting with Disaster" and in the 1997 thriller "Keys to Tulsa."
Moore has acted in several Broadway plays, and in 1966, she starred in a musical version of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" called "Holly Golightly." The production was intended to play on Broadway, but it was so unpopular among critics during its preview that plans for Broadway were scrapped. She starred in the Broadway play "Whose Life Is It Anyway" in 1980, followed by "Sweet Sue" in 1987. In 2003, she appeared in previews for Neil Simon's production "Rose's Dilemma," but she left the play after receiving an unduly critical letter from Simon.
Personal Life
In 1955, Moore married Richard Carleton Meeker, and less than a year later, she gave birth to their son. The couple divorced in 1962, and she married CBS executive Grant Tinker later that year. In 1970, they started their own production company called MTM Enterprises. The pair divorced in 1981.
In 1993, Mary wed cardiologist Robert Levine. They remained married until her death in 2017. In 1980, Moore's son died from an accidental shooting while he was handling a small handgun. The model was later recalled for having a hair-trigger. Moore was a lifelong animal rights activist and a pescatarian. She supported charities such as the ASPCA and Farm Sanctuary.
Real Estate
In December 2006, Mary and Robert paid $9 million for a palatial mansion in Greenwich, Connecticut. The 7.3-acre property features a 13,000+ square foot mansion. In September 2023, Robert listed the home for sale for a bit under $22 million. Here is a video tour:
