16 ICONIC Mary Tyler Moore Quotes So You Can Smile Through The Pain

Mary Tyler Moore had a lot of spunk on and off the screen, and she gave us laughter and plucky female characters that we could relate to and laugh with no matter what situation she found herself in.

Her deadpan delivery was enough to reduce you to tears from laughter, and her iconic work helped push ladies to the forefront of a new era for women both on and off camera during the 1970s. She gave us real, vibrant characters that changed TV as we knew it.

We loved her in her Emmy-winning role of Laura Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show, where she achieved the bulk of her renown and fame with her character’s sass and sharp wit, but where Mary really shined was in just being herself.

She proved that she could hold her own (and more!) during her portrayal of a hysterical and unabashed single TV news producer Mary Richards on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and stepped out of the shadows of typical 70s sitcoms, reshaping them for decades to come.

Her show, which helped push Mary into the forefront of female television comedy icons and boost her international fame, had a fantastic seven-year stretch, stayed in the top 20 of show ratings for six of its seven-year run, and earned 29 Emmys, which was a record amount of awards for a single program at the time.

Mary’s work as an actress, producer, and comedian helped single-handedly change the industry for women everywhere and even jump-started the careers of several other funny gals on their own spin-offs of her show.

Women in today’s TV landscape have her to thank for the fact that they are not just stand-ins or extras. They can be real, solid women and hold their own all because of Mary Tyler Moore giving a real, funny, intelligent and well-spoken face to the American woman.

She was a true feminist who helped other women shine, and though she may be gone, her mark has certainly not faded.

On top of being a television pioneer, producer, author, Tony award-winning Broadway and Oscar-nominated movie star, and all-around amazing woman, Mary Tyler Moore worked tirelessly for the causes that she believed in, like bringing awareness to diabetes, alcoholism, fighting hard for animal rights. 

Like Mary Richards, Mary Tyler Moore’s indomitable spirit could be felt and seen in everything she did. She was a bright star and a shining example of a beloved human being, and she touched many lives in her too-short time here on this Earth.

She will be missed greatly, and although she isn't here to "Turn the world on with her smile," we can be thankful that her memory is still here to do so.

To remember her as the beautiful, iconic woman that she was and to thank her for all she gave us, here are 16 Mary Tyler Moore quotes that show her love, will, and that oh-so-famous spunk that shined through every part of her:

If you're searching for the best quotes and memes to share with the people you love (or just want to feel inspired yourself) ...  look no further! From the sweetest love quotes, inspirational sayings, and hilarious friendship truths, we've got you covered. 

1.

"You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you."

2.

"Having a dream is what keeps you alive. Overcoming the challenges makes life worth living."

3.

"Sometimes you have to get to know someone really well to realize you're really strangers."

4.

"Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave."

5.

"Whatever it is, it's OK because it is what it is. Don't be looking for perfection, don't be short-tempered with yourself, and you'll be a whole lot nicer to be around with everyone else."

6.

"I've had the fame and the joy of getting laughter — those are gifts."

7.

"You truly have to make the very best of what you've got. We all do."

8.

"I knew at a very early age what I wanted to do. Some people refer to it as indulging my instincts and artistic bent. I call it just showing off, which was what I did from about three years of age on."

9.

"I live in a kind of controlled awareness. I wouldn't call it fear, but it's an awareness. I know I have a responsibility to behave in a certain way. I'm able to do that."

10.

"I just like to continue doing what I've been doing. A mélange of funny, straight drama, television, movies, a little theater here and there wouldn't hurt. So if I can keep doing that, I'll be a very happy person."

11.

"There are certain things about me that I will never tell anyone because I am a very private person. But basically, what you see is who I am. I'm independent, I like to be liked, I do look for the good side of life and people. I'm positive, I'm disciplined, I like my life in order, and I'm as neat as a pin."

12.

"I'm not an actress who can create a character. I play me."

13.

"I'm an experienced woman; I've been around... well, alright, I might not have been around, but I've been... nearby."

14.

"I'm very happy with my life the way it has been turning out. A little time in the country, a little time with animals and working on behalf of them."

15.

"The kind of shows that seem to work now, the comedy shows, are those which require very little attention. They're superficial and I like articulate comedy."

16.

"My grandfather once said, having watched me one entire afternoon, prancing and leaping and cavorting, 'This child will either end up on stage or in jail.' Fortunately, I took the easy route."