Born on December 29, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, she began her career as a dancer before transitioning to acting. She gained fame in the 1960s as Laura Petrie on "The Dick Van Dyke Show," showcasing her comedic talent. In the 1970s, she became an icon with "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," portraying an independent career woman, a groundbreaking role for the time. Her film work included "Ordinary People," earning her an Oscar nomination. She was also an advocate for diabetes research.