Comedian/Actor Mary Tyler Moore dies, aged 80

Comedian and actor Mary Tyler Moore has passed away, aged 80, surrounded by family and friends at her home in Connecticut, USA.

Moore’s publicist, Mara Buxbaum, confirmed the star’s death to the media earlier this morning (US time).

“Today, beloved icon Mary Tyler Moore passed away at the age of 80 in the company of friends and her loving husband of over 33 years, Dr. S. Robert Levine,” Buxbaum said in a statement.

The cause of death was pneumonia, which lead to cardiopulmonary arrest.

Tyler Moore first became internationally famous for her central role in The Mary Tyler Moore Show for which she won an Emmy, and for the 1980 comedy movie Ordinary People.

Her quick wit and slapstick comic delivery inspired many female actors and comedians including Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, Veep), Tina Fey (30 Rock), Ellen Degeneres, and Zooey Deschanel (New Girl).

Said Julia Louis-Dreyfus: “I watched The Mary Tyler Moore Show all the time and fantasised that I was Rhoda. I wanted to be Mary’s best friend… Her being able to play humiliation as well as she did was very appealing.”

Moore is survived by her third husband, Dr. Robert Levine who she married in 1983.  Antonino Tati