Monday, January 30, 2012

Mary Tyler Moore - SAG Award

Mary Tyler Moore, TV icon, received a lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild during its annual awards ceremony.

From the Los Angeles Times:

Mary Tyler Moore took the stage Sunday to accept her award for career achievement, with her TV husband Dick Van Dyke singing her praises. And with Betty White onstage earlier to accept the award for female actor in a comedy series, the Screen Actors Guild Awards veered close to being an "MTM" episode of "This Is Your Life."

From the stage at the Shrine Exposition Hall in Los Angeles, Van Dyke recalled wondering aloud when he first met Moore: "Do you think she can do comedy?"

She could indeed, as she proved in her roles as Laura Petrie on the 1960s sitcom "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and later as Mary Richards on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

Moore could do drama too, with several serious roles on Broadway and TV. Her work in the heart-wrenching 1980 film "Ordinary People" earned her an Oscar nomination for lead actress.

Moore, of course, is perhaps best known for her role on her self-titled show, where she became the face of the modern single career woman. The pioneering role set the standard for countless female-driven comedy series, not to mention real-life careers.

...Moore also has helped raised funds and awareness about abused animals. The actress, who contracted juvenile diabetes, has been outspoken about the disease and has supported research for most of her career.

On Sunday, Moore enchanted the audience, telling the tale of how her trademark show business name came to be. It seems there were too many "Mary Moores" already in Hollywood.

...When Moore finished her speech, Van Dyke gave her a smooch on the cheek.

There's no question that Mary Tyler Moore deserved to be recognized for her achievements.

Dick Van Dyke, a TV icon in his own right, served as presenter.

When Van Dyke was finished with his introduction and the taped piece had played, Mary Tyler Moore was standing at the podium already. She didn't walk on stage.

After she completed her charming acceptance speech, she didn't move. When Van Dyke stepped in to give her a kiss on the cheek, she seemed startled. It was a little weird. She was never shown walking off stage.

There was an awkwardness about it. I wondered if she was suffering from a health issue.

I know she's had some health problems relatively recently.

I hope all is well. I wish her years of good health and congratulate her on the lifetime achievement award.

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