Imagine being a legendary actor, renowned for both his talent and his kindness, only to recall a humorous yet revealing story about his close friend and former colleague, Mary Tyler Moore — and how she once got genuinely upset at him. But here’s where the story gets interesting… Moore, known for her strength and sunny disposition, wasn’t someone to take lightly. Actor Dick Van Dyke, now 99 years old, reminisces about a memorable incident when he inadvertently angered the beloved actress by drawing a cartoon of her that didn’t quite hit the mark.
During a charity event held at his Malibu home on November 30, Van Dyke shared that he’d sketched a picture of Moore with an exaggeratedly large mouth. His intention was playful, but Moore was not amused. 'I made her mouth too big, and she was so pissed at me,' he recounted. Realizing his mistake, he had to redraw the cartoon, acknowledging that while Moore's mouth was naturally beautiful, it was also quite generous in size.
Van Dyke’s wife, Arlene Silver, added her perspective, noting that Moore 'turned the world on with her smile,' further emphasizing her radiant personality. Sadly, Moore passed away in January 2017 at the age of 80, succumbing to cardiopulmonary arrest triggered by three underlying health conditions, including diabetes.
Moore’s iconic career began with the sitcom she starred in from 1961 to 1966, with Van Dyke playing the title character’s friend and neighbor. The success of 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' helped launch her own program, 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show,' which became a cultural phenomenon on CBS from 1970 until 1977.
Following her passing, Van Dyke openly reminisced about her in an interview on 'CBS This Morning,' sharing his admiration and fond memories of the talented star. He described her as having a kind of mid-Atlantic accent reminiscent of Katherine Hepburn. When she auditioned for the show, Van Dyke initially wondered if her beauty would translate well into comedy. But he quickly saw her true talent—her exceptional comedic timing and natural flair for humor. Before long, she was making everyone laugh effortlessly.
Van Dyke also compared working with Moore to attending a lively party every morning, highlighting their spontaneous chemistry. Both stars recognized their own hidden talents beyond acting—Moore was aware of her comedic skills, while Van Dyke discovered he could sing and dance, too. Their collaboration was almost instinctive, like a seamless improv act, as though they could almost read each other’s minds.
Moore was equally generous in her praise for Van Dyke during her prime, describing him as someone who was remarkably kind and composed. Despite his gentle demeanor, she emphasized that Van Dyke possessed an inner strength, likening him to a marshmallow with a steel core — quiet, unassuming, yet incredibly resilient. As Moore once said in 1965, 'Dick doesn’t lose his temper; he doesn’t sulk, and he doesn’t throw his weight around. He’s so nice that in our hearts, we know we don’t deserve him.'
And this is the part most people miss — behind the gentle exterior, Van Dyke embodies a steady strength that made him not just a talented performer, but a truly admirable person. Do you believe that true strength is often hidden behind kindness? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion about how genuine character influences our perception of public figures.
