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After All: In Her Own Words . . . The Searing Truth behind the Dazzling Smile
New York Times Bestseller
Audiences have long adored Mary Tyler Moore for her television persona as the quintessential girl-next-door, as well as for her strong performances on screen and stage. But what about the poignant doubts and inner strength that drove this versatile and courageous actress? After All is the candid, moving autobiography of the woman America fell in love with, and the icon she became.
“Mesmerizing…Fans will love Moore’s behind-the-scenes reminiscences.” —San Francisco Chronicle
Mary Tyler Moore was America's actress, producer, star of the golden age of television. Her work on The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show garnered multiple Emmys, followed by critical acclaim for her acting on Broadway and in film. Now, in her witty, candid, heartbreaking autobiography, Mary Tyler Moore tells all about the Dick Van Dyke nobody knows; Elvis, her sly, seductive co-star in Change of Habit; how Carl Reiner taught her to cry while being funny; Robert Redford's confession after casting her in Ordinary People; about then-First Lady Betty Ford's inebriated debut on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and years later, her phone call that saved Mary's life.
After All is the exhilarating and moving story of this extraordinarily successful woman, a complex and creative star who hadn’t developed a legacy without much pain and reflection along the way. Mary spares nothing as she recounts her traumatic childhood, two failed marriages, her own alcoholism, the tragic death of her son, and her third, happy marriage to a cardiologist eighteen years her junior. Offering a firsthand overview of the television industry, and peppered with sharp anecdotes, the result is a remarkable narrative and a rare look at one the most enduring and admired stars of our time.
Inspiring, poignant, and brutally frank, After All will touch every reader's heart and soul.
Audiences have long adored Mary Tyler Moore for her television persona as the quintessential girl-next-door, as well as for her strong performances on screen and stage. But what about the poignant doubts and inner strength that drove this versatile and courageous actress? After All is the candid, moving autobiography of the woman America fell in love with, and the icon she became.
“Mesmerizing…Fans will love Moore’s behind-the-scenes reminiscences.” —San Francisco Chronicle
Mary Tyler Moore was America's actress, producer, star of the golden age of television. Her work on The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show garnered multiple Emmys, followed by critical acclaim for her acting on Broadway and in film. Now, in her witty, candid, heartbreaking autobiography, Mary Tyler Moore tells all about the Dick Van Dyke nobody knows; Elvis, her sly, seductive co-star in Change of Habit; how Carl Reiner taught her to cry while being funny; Robert Redford's confession after casting her in Ordinary People; about then-First Lady Betty Ford's inebriated debut on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and years later, her phone call that saved Mary's life.
After All is the exhilarating and moving story of this extraordinarily successful woman, a complex and creative star who hadn’t developed a legacy without much pain and reflection along the way. Mary spares nothing as she recounts her traumatic childhood, two failed marriages, her own alcoholism, the tragic death of her son, and her third, happy marriage to a cardiologist eighteen years her junior. Offering a firsthand overview of the television industry, and peppered with sharp anecdotes, the result is a remarkable narrative and a rare look at one the most enduring and admired stars of our time.
Inspiring, poignant, and brutally frank, After All will touch every reader's heart and soul.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 1995
109 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Mary Tyler Moore
13 books39 followersMary Tyler Moore was an Academy Award-nominated and seven-time Emmy Award-winning American actress and comedian, primarily known for her roles in sitcoms and television.
Moore is arguably best known for The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977), in which she starred as Mary Richards, a 30-something single woman who worked as a news producer at WJM-TV in Minneapolis, and for her early role as Laura Petrie, wife of television comedy writer Rob Petrie (played by Dick Van Dyke) on The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966). Moore played leading roles in two of the most fondly remembered classic comedy series, making a tremendous impact on television over two decades.
She also appeared in various films over the years. Her best-remembered performance came in 1980's Ordinary People, which garnered her an Oscar nomination for a role that was the polar opposite of the characters viewers had become accustomed to seeing her portray on television. She has also been active in charity work and various political causes, particularly animals and diabetes rights.
Moore is arguably best known for The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977), in which she starred as Mary Richards, a 30-something single woman who worked as a news producer at WJM-TV in Minneapolis, and for her early role as Laura Petrie, wife of television comedy writer Rob Petrie (played by Dick Van Dyke) on The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966). Moore played leading roles in two of the most fondly remembered classic comedy series, making a tremendous impact on television over two decades.
She also appeared in various films over the years. Her best-remembered performance came in 1980's Ordinary People, which garnered her an Oscar nomination for a role that was the polar opposite of the characters viewers had become accustomed to seeing her portray on television. She has also been active in charity work and various political causes, particularly animals and diabetes rights.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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September 19, 2025okay read
This book was okay but not something that kept me intrigued. Just an average life story, with a lot of bragging by the author.
This book was okay but not something that kept me intrigued. Just an average life story, with a lot of bragging by the author.
May 11, 2024
Last fall, I decided to revisit one of my favorite vintage television programs The Dick Van Dyke Show. The plot focuses on Rob Petrie, a comedy writer for The Alan Brady Show, his co-writers Buddy and Sally, producer Mel Cooley, star of the show Alan Brady, Rob’s wife Laura, their son Ritchie and their neighbors Millie and Jerry Helper. The series ran for five seasons and was the recipient of fifteen Primetime Emmy Awards. One of the reasons the show was so successful is due to the performances given by the lead actors Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore. Both actors have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and have become part of the fabric of American culture. As I was watching the performances of Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore, I decided I wanted to learn more about the people behind the characters of Rob and Laura Petrie.
In her autobiography After All, Mary Tyler Moore gives the reader a candid account of her life. She tells of her formative years growing up in Brooklyn, New York and Hollywood, California. The author shares with the reader the joys and sorrows of marriage and motherhood. Her triumphant success as an actress on television, Broadway and the Silver Screen. She is transparent when it comes to discussing the two heath issues she has struggled with: diabetes and alcoholism.
“Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.”
Mary Tyler Moore
In her autobiography After All, Mary Tyler Moore gives the reader a candid account of her life. She tells of her formative years growing up in Brooklyn, New York and Hollywood, California. The author shares with the reader the joys and sorrows of marriage and motherhood. Her triumphant success as an actress on television, Broadway and the Silver Screen. She is transparent when it comes to discussing the two heath issues she has struggled with: diabetes and alcoholism.
“Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.”
Mary Tyler Moore
September 9, 2025
Being Careful What One Wishes For
If, like me, you were a boy in the early 1960s, you wished Laura Petrie was your hot Mom. Then, by the time I reached college, I wanted to sleep with Mary Richards. But, as it turns out, neither “All-American girl next door” she portrayed was anything like the woman who played both roles, the beautiful, flawed, neurotic Mary Tyler Moore, to whom she introduces the reader in this easy to read book.
Come to find out, her home life was a mess and she was as messed up as the rest of us. And still, she was beloved for the image she created but, like most of us, couldn’t maintain. Turns out - star designation to the contrary, her flawed life had as many hiccups as our own had.
This is a quick-reading and seemingly honest self reflection of a real flesh and blood woman - driven, imperfect but still worthy of admiration on many levels. No wonder America loved her.
If, like me, you were a boy in the early 1960s, you wished Laura Petrie was your hot Mom. Then, by the time I reached college, I wanted to sleep with Mary Richards. But, as it turns out, neither “All-American girl next door” she portrayed was anything like the woman who played both roles, the beautiful, flawed, neurotic Mary Tyler Moore, to whom she introduces the reader in this easy to read book.
Come to find out, her home life was a mess and she was as messed up as the rest of us. And still, she was beloved for the image she created but, like most of us, couldn’t maintain. Turns out - star designation to the contrary, her flawed life had as many hiccups as our own had.
This is a quick-reading and seemingly honest self reflection of a real flesh and blood woman - driven, imperfect but still worthy of admiration on many levels. No wonder America loved her.
September 21, 2025
It was good snd she pulled no punches, told it how it was. Said nice things about people she liked and didn’t name those she told unflattering stories about. Her life was filled with a lot of sadness and turmoil and her behavior reflected a lot of that. Did change how I thought about her but not in a really bad way
March 9, 2025
MTM at her best
Mary's story is uplifting and inspiring. An honest and complete account of her wonderful life and artistic contribution to us all. Very entertaining and readable. Thanks.
Mary's story is uplifting and inspiring. An honest and complete account of her wonderful life and artistic contribution to us all. Very entertaining and readable. Thanks.
June 30, 2024
Very candid
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews