The Documentary of Mary Tyler Moore
I recently watched the documentary Being Mary Tyler Moore. I was on cloud nine. That’s because I watched it on an airplane. In reality, it was a sobering documentary.
The tone encompassed Mary Tyler Moore’s life experiences really well. She was an advocate for type 1 diabetes, which she was diagnosed with in her early thirties. She grew up with an alcoholic mother who was unable to engage with her emotionally. She was a single mother. She lost her son when he was in her early twenties. Her career was difficult as well. She had a long dry spell between The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Her talent wasn’t being used. Because of a deal she made with Universal Studios so they would let her do theater, she had to do movies that didn’t make the most of her capabilities. She was a dancer before becoming an actress. Her first commercial utilized her movement skills, and so did some of her tv and movie scenes (so graceful and gorgeous!).
She had three marriages, and in her last one, felt like she was strong in herself and independent and could be an equal partner. Her husband Richard Levine, MD loved her dearly. They had a home with horses and dogs. You could see the deep healing which she was experiencing.
As the documentary came to a close, there is a quote from Mary Tyler Moore where she states that she will always think of herself as a failed dancer.
I think of myself as a perpetual wannabe dancer. I can’t believe that Mary Tyler Moore doubted her own talents—she was magnificent! She must have had a really high bar—way higher than the one which she used to perfect her ballet!
I love Mary Tyler Moore for being authentic. For sharing her inner self, not just the persona given off in her characters. For advocating for women to work and be able to support themselves financially. For her tireless efforts in advocating for type 1 diabetes. For setting a shining example of someone healing from growing up in an alcoholic home. She was a true pioneer.
I grew up watching The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show (along with I Love Lucy and The Bob Newhart Show, and others) on Nick at Nite with my beloved dad, who passed away suddenly when I was 21.
When I’ve watched reruns of these shows over the years, it was to feel my dad’s presence.
Now it has an added layer of continuing to learn from and honor the beautiful, talented, and poetic Mary Tyler Moore.