A couple of days ago it was announced that Mary Tyler Moore, perhaps one of the biggest female TV stars of the 60’s and, especially the 1970’s, passed away at the age of 80…
Mary Tyler Moore, beloved TV Actress, dies at 80
I can’t say I was a big fan of The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-66), perhaps Ms. Moore’s breakout role which featured her as Mr. Van Dyke’s wife Laura Petrie. The show aired a little before my time and while growing up I can’t recall finding it in reruns like many other 1960’s era shows and therefore never was exposed to it to any great degree.
However, I do recall being entertained by the Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-77) and the cast of characters she worked with (the seemingly immortal Betty White being among the featured co-stars!). Perhaps the most famous element of the show is its opening crawl which concludes with Ms. Moore famously throwing her hat in the air (the below clip also features the very last scene from the very last episode of the show)…
I have to admit, back then I -and I’m sure just about every male watching- had something of a crush on Ms. Moore. She, and her character, were charming, likable, and had charisma to spare. It’s indeed sad to read of her passing.
Just as this news made its way to the various websites came word that Mike Connors had also passed away. Mr. Connors is best known for playing the lead role in the detective drama Mannix which ran from 1967 through 1975. This show was a favorite of mine while growing up and I’m not ashamed to say I have the entire eight season run on DVD. Like the Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mannix featured a very memorable opening…
Mr. Connors was 91. Over on this article regarding his passing –Mike Connors, B-Movie Actor Who Found Stardom on TV’s Mannix, dead at 91– a humorous tweet is presented from Mike Barnes who states:
By one count, (Mike Connors’) Joe Mannix was shot 17 times and knocked unconscious another 55.
Eight seasons playing a gumshoe will do that to you, I suppose. Had such a person existed in real life, its extremely doubtful he would have made it to 91.
Rest in peace Ms. Moore and Mr. Connors. You enlivened this young boy’s early years with a combination of laughs and suspense.