Mary Tyler Moore, born on December 29, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, began her career in the mid-1950s with a role as "Happy Hotpoint," a dancing elf in TV commercials. She gained fame in the 1960s with her role as Laura Petrie on "The ???? Van Dyke Show" (1961-1966), where her comedic talent and charm won her critical acclaim. In 1970, she starred in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," playing Mary Richards, a single, career-focused woman working in a Minneapolis TV newsroom. The show was groundbreaking, addressing contemporary issues and earning numerous awards, including multiple Emmys. By the mid-1970s, Moore had solidified her status as a television icon and a trailblazer for women in entertainment.