In 1974, the iconic cast of ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ included Ted Knight, Georgia Engel, Ed Asner, Mary Tyler Moore, Gavin MacLeod, and Betty White. Mary Tyler Moore was synonymous with the question, “Who can turn the world on with her smile?” as she starred as Mary Richards in the beloved series. The show, following the lives of Mary, her coworkers, and friends at the fictional WJM-TV in Minneapolis, was a standout in television history.
Running for seven seasons from 1970 to 1977, the sitcom earned a record-breaking 29 Emmy Awards and left a lasting impact on the sitcom genre. The show continues to capture new audiences through syndication and streaming platforms.
Looking back at the cast of ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ we see where their careers took them post-series:
Mary Tyler Moore, who played Mary Richards, led the show from 1970 onwards, following her success on ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show.’ Not unlike her character, Moore embodied authenticity in her roles. Post-series, she found success on Broadway and in films, earning accolades such as a Tony Award for her work. Despite personal hardships, including the loss of her son and battles with alcoholism, Moore remained resilient and used her platform to advocate for causes such as diabetes awareness.
After Moore’s passing in 2017, her legacy lives on through her work and the impact she had on those who knew her. Her husband, Dr. Robert Levine, continues to cherish her memory, reflecting on her extraordinary life and the mark she left on the world.
Ed Asner is best known for his role as producer Lou Grant on the hit series “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” His character’s essence was captured in the show’s very first episode when he famously told Mary Richards, “You got spunk… I hate spunk.” Asner earned three Emmys for his role in the show, along with additional awards for his work in the miniseries “Rich Man, Poor Man” and the series “Roots.” In 1978, he headlined his own spinoff titled “Lou Grant,” where he portrayed the character leading a Los Angeles newspaper. This series garnered two more Emmy wins for Asner and solidified his place in television history.
After the end of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” Asner continued to work extensively, including as a voice actor in various cartoons. His notable roles included voicing Carl Fredricksen in Pixar’s “Up” and playing Santa Claus in the movie “Elf.” Asner’s career spanned across different genres, from drama series like “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” to animated shows like “Central Park.”
In 2001, Asner received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, recognizing his contributions to the entertainment industry. Throughout his career, Asner maintained close relationships with his “Mary Tyler Moore Show” castmates, finding a sense of stability in his professional life that he had previously struggled to achieve.
Asner passed away in 2021 at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy as a talented actor and voice artist who brought memorable characters to life on screen.
Gavin MacLeod, known for his role as Murray Slaughter on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” was a key figure in the series as WJM-TV’s news writer. Alongside Moore, MacLeod appeared in every episode of the show, solidifying his place in television history.
After the conclusion of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” MacLeod transitioned seamlessly to another hit series, “The Love Boat,” where he played the ship’s captain Merrill Stubing. Despite the end of his time on the previous show, MacLeod expressed contentment in moving forward and embracing new projects. His positive outlook on life and career led him to success in both television and film.
MacLeod’s career spanned over 300 TV roles before landing major parts in iconic shows like “The Love Boat.” He shared his life with his children from his marriages to Joan F. Rootvik and Patti Kendig, with whom he found spiritual renewal and remarried after a period of separation.
In 2021, MacLeod passed away at the age of 90, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a beloved actor who brought joy to audiences through his memorable performances.
In 1974, Valerie Harper played Rhoda, Mary Richards’ best friend on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ (left), and in 2016 (right). Harper won three successive Emmys for her role before starring in her own spinoff, Rhoda, starting in 1974. Reflecting on her new series, she shared with PEOPLE, “I thought I’d feel a dark quiet moment of self-hatred, that I’d be saying ‘You can’t do it, you’re not a star’ and you know it… I simply have a wonderful job.” Despite initial doubts, Rhoda also became a success, earning Harper another Emmy and lasting for four years.
Throughout her career, Harper continued to shine, receiving a Golden Globe nomination for her role in the 1979 movie Chapter Two, and starring in the sitcom Valerie for two seasons before it was renamed The Hogan Family. She made appearances in various TV shows like Touched by an Angel, Melrose Place, Sex and the City, That ’70s Show, Desperate Housewives, and Dancing with the Stars. In 2010, she returned to Broadway, earning a Tony nomination for her performance in Looped.
Harper faced a personal battle when she publicly revealed her diagnosis of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, a rare form of cancer, in 2013. Doctors gave her a grim prognosis, but she decided to undergo treatment. Despite the challenges, Harper maintained a positive outlook, focusing on living in the present moment. She passed away in 2019 at the age of 80.
On the other hand, Ted Knight played Ted Baxter, a vain and untalented newscaster in ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ in 1974 (left), and in 1986 (right). Knight received six Emmy nominations for his role and won once. In a 1977 interview with PEOPLE, he mentioned rejecting an offer for a spinoff, questioning the audience’s endurance for Ted Baxter’s character weekly. Knight later starred in The Ted Knight Show, which was short-lived, and made appearances in The Love Boat and Caddyshack.
His most notable role post-‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ was in the series Too Close for Comfort, which later became The Ted Knight Show. The show ran from 1980 to 1987, portraying Knight as a cartoonist with adult daughters living downstairs. Despite the series’ challenges, Knight embraced his experience, reflecting on his career with humor and humility.
Various colleges and universities sent fan mail to Ted Knight, who portrayed the buffoon character in 1982. He expressed gratitude for the new comedic opportunities that “Too Close for Comfort” brought him and highlighted the show’s appeal in glamorizing family life without insulting the audience. Knight married Dorothy Smith in 1948 and they had three children – Ted Jr., Elyse, and Eric. Tragically, Knight was diagnosed with colon cancer after his role in “Mary Tyler Moore,” and despite a brief period of remission, he passed away in 1986 at the age of 62.
Cloris Leachman played Phyllis Lindstrom in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” receiving her spinoff series “Phyllis.” She was an accomplished actress with numerous awards, including eight Emmys. Leachman’s career extended to movies and she was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2011. In a personal note, she was married to George Englund from 1953 to 1978 and faced the tragic loss of her son Bryan in 1986. Leachman passed away in 2021 at the age of 94.
Georgia Engel portrayed Georgette Franklin Baxter in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” later appearing in “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Hot in Cleveland.” She received Emmy nominations for both shows and had a successful career in theater and film. Engel passed away in 2019 at the age of 70.
Betty White joined “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in the fourth season as Sue Ann Nivens, showcasing her versatility as a performer. White won two Emmys for her role and became known for her portrayal of a character described as sweet yet devious. Throughout her career, she maintained her status as a beloved television star.
Betty White decided to conclude the show. “Mary knows when to call it quits,” she remarked. White met her husband, Allen Ludden, while appearing on an episode of Password, a show he hosted. They married in 1963, and she became stepmother to his children, David, Martha, and Sarah. Ludden passed away from stomach cancer in 1981. In 1983, White began a recurring role on Mama’s Family, inspired by a character she portrayed on The Carol Burnett Show in 1975. She also hosted her own game show, Just Men!. White made history by becoming the first woman to win a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding game show host. Her most significant success came in 1985 when she landed the role of Rose Nylund in The Golden Girls, a beloved series that has stood the test of time. White garnered seven Emmy nominations for her role on the show, winning once. She also starred in the spinoff The Golden Palace. Throughout her career, White appeared in TV shows like Maybe This Time and Hot in Cleveland, winning two more Emmys for her appearances on The John Larroquette Show and for hosting Saturday Night Live. She also earned a Grammy for the audiobook of her 2011 book If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t). Continuing to make regular TV appearances until 2019, White also starred in the film The Proposal and lent her voice to The Lorax and Toy Story 4. In 1999, as White marked her 50th year on television, she reflected, “I’ve been the luckiest broad on the face of this earth.” “You better realize how good life is while it’s happening,” she added, “because before you know it, it will all be gone.” Betty White passed away on December 31, 2022, just days before her 100th birthday. John Amos portrayed weatherman Gordon “Gordy” Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He later starred as James Evans Sr. in Good Times. Amos confessed in 1977 that he clashed with creator Norman Lear, likening them to “two billy goats butting heads.” Despite the tensions, he acknowledged Lear’s influence, stating, “But he owned the pasture.” Amos gained recognition for his role as older Kunta Kinte in Roots, earning an Emmy nomination. Reflecting on the series in 1977, he shared how it humbled him, saying, “Roots taught me it took us 200 years to get where we are now.” Amos also appeared in Hunter and on The West Wing as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace. His extensive television credits include guest appearances on shows like 30 Rock, Ballers, Two and a Half Men, Touched by an Angel, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Amos was married twice, first to artist Noel “Noni” Mickelson, with whom
