Mary Tyler Moore: When were you happiest?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded Mary Tyler Moore said elsewhere, not written here

I think when we were doing The Mary Tyler Moore Show. That was the first time that I was able to, on a regular basis, be funny.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, May 2012 source ↗

Others on this question

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Patrick Stewart Actor

A year ago, after only four lessons, skiing alone in the Sierras.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 February 2011 source ↗

Chrissie Hynde American musician

A couple of hours ago: I got a text message to meet someone later.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 August 2009 source ↗

Jean Smart

My wedding day, and when my children were first placed in my arms.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, May 2024 source ↗

Paul Merson English footballer and pundit

On holiday in Orlando with my wife, Kate, and kids just before lockdown. I wasn’t drinking or gambling. I was so happy, so at peace with myself – I’d been searching for that for many a year.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 January 2023 source ↗

More from Mary Tyler Moore

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Question Which trait do you most dislike in yourself? Identity & self

Well, first of all I’d like to change the word “deplore” to “dislike.” I guess that I’m almost a hermit; I don’t enjoy going out that much, and so I tend to take my happiness from the joys of my home and my husband.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, May 2012 source ↗