This beloved star of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” charmed fans with her iconic role and beauty. However, behind the scenes, her journey was marked by tumultuous marriages, resilience, and self-discovery. Take a closer look at her remarkable story and see what she looks like in recent years.
Born in Newport News, Virginia, this famous actress has joked about her Southern roots, claiming her mother preferred the more refined Hampton Newport News. Her childhood, however, was far from idyllic.
After her parents’ divorce, she spent time in foster homes and even an orphanage, experiences that, while challenging, taught her resilience and adaptability. Reflecting on that period, she admitted, “That was a little difficult. It all was for the best because it taught me how to get along in different situations.”
Her passion for acting emerged when she was just 14 years old, performing in a school play at Solebury, a boarding school. Her performance caught the eye of a producer, who invited her to work at a summer stock theater in New Angola, Pennsylvania.
This same theater had once nurtured the talents of Kirk Douglas. Over the next three years, the future star immersed herself in every aspect of the theater, taking on roles as an ingénue, managing props, handling lights, and even cleaning toilets.
The rigorous training laid the foundation for a career that would span over six decades. Her big break came when she appeared on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
While she humbly referred to herself as a recurring character, audiences fondly remembered her as Marie Slaughter, the supportive and cheerful wife of Murray, played by Gavin MacLeod. Her bubbly persona and distinctive voice made her a fan favorite.Though she humbly downplayed her contribution, the public’s love for her character remained steadfast. “It’s very nice when people say, ‘One of the stars of The Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ but I really wasn’t. […] But when people think about me, they think about Marie Slaughter. I’m still always amazed,” the actress said.
She shared fond memories of working on the show, describing Valerie Harper as particularly kind. “She came up to me and said, ‘If you need any help with your lines, I’d be happy to run them with you,'” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” star revealed.
Despite the sunny disposition she brought to her roles, her personal life was fraught with challenges, as the actress endured four tumultuous marriages and a 30-day stay in rehab in 1999 for “co-dependency issues” before finding lasting happiness.
It’s my big ego, I think,” the actress candidly said of her poor choices when it came to her love life. “Most alcoholics I find are very sensitive people until they have been drinking. […] But I believed, if they know that I love them, they won’t drink anymore. Not realizing and knowing it was a disease.”
Her first marriage was to James MacArthur, the actor best known as Dan “Danno” Williams in “Hawaii Five-O.” Though it began with youthful optimism, she claimed the union was plagued by verbal abuse and conflict.The actress described her daily hope that things would improve, recounting how he would belittle her and their children. The emotional scars of his words, she admitted, were invisible but everlasting. Her second marriage to Edward Mallory, famed for his role on “Days of Our Lives,” offered little respite.
While he didn’t direct his frustrations toward their children, his alleged dark moods and constant yelling created a tense environment. This marriage also ended in heartbreak, but “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” star pressed forward with hope.
Her third marriage to William Asher, the director of “Bewitched,” lasted 17 years but was marked by struggles stemming from his health. Minor strokes and subsequent depression led him to rely heavily on medication and alcohol, which transformed his personality.
He became angry and difficult. I had to say to him, ‘If you get help, I’ll be beside you forever. But if you don’t…I can’t do this anymore.’ And that was that. On our 17th wedding anniversary, I left,” the actress revealed.
Her fourth marriage to pilot Glade Bruce Hansen was short-lived, only lasting from 2000 until 2001, but her fifth and final union with Roger Perry became the love story the actress had longed for.
Kenny Rogers and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” star circa 1974. |
The pair first crossed paths in 1962, but it wasn’t until decades later that they finally came together. The Hollywood star described their relationship as a miracle, noting that her children — whom she welcomed from her previous marriages — deeply respected him.
Their 18 years of marriage were filled with love and mutual admiration, a sharp contrast to her earlier experiences. “We were like ships passing in the night. A friend of ours called us star-crossed lovers,” the actress shared.
Perry’s passing in 2018 was a profound loss, but she took solace in the spiritual connection she still felt with him. The actress spoke of sensing his presence, cherishing the memories they created together.
Now a devoted mother, she takes immense pride in her kids’ achievements and relishes her role as a grandmother. “Oh, I love it. You really get to do the spoiling and sometimes have time to explain why their parents treat them the way they do. It’s all my fault!” she said with a laugh.
In addition to spoiling her grandkids, this actress has used her platform to support others struggling with dyslexia and help raise awareness about the condition.
When she was already in her 40s, she learned through her son’s school principal that she had dyslexia, a condition that explained her lifelong struggles with reading and math.
I went for many years thinking I was stupid. I just didn’t get things that other people got,” she revealed. This late realization was a turning point. Acting, which had always been her refuge, became a tool to navigate her dyslexia.
She found that adding emotion and action to words made them comprehensible, transforming her approach to learning.
Reflecting on her own experiences, the actress emphasized the importance of understanding and addressing the condition early to prevent the feelings of inadequacy she had endured.
In recent years, her life story, filled with triumphs and tribulations, became the subject of her memoir, “My Four Hollywood Husbands.” In the book, she offered a candid account of her marriages, career, and personal growth.
This actress is none other than Joyce Bulifant, who, at 87, continues to garner praise for her timeless beauty. “She looks good for 87!!” a social media user commented on a Facebook post celebrating the star’s birthday.
“She looks great!!” another person wrote. A third shared, “Still looking good. Beautiful eyes” and a fourth typed, “I have had a crush on Joyce for at least 50 years!” A fifth person added, “Aww. Pretty lady.” Continue reading to see the actress’s transformation over the years.
’60s
Joyce Bulifant circa 1965.
’70s
Joyce Bulifant appearing in the ABC TV series “Love Thy Neighbor” in 1973.
’80s
Joyce Bulifant at the Western Celebrity Roundup Tennis Tournament on April 12, 1981, in Beverly Hills, California.
2000s
Ralna English and Joyce Bulifant photographed in 2007.
2010s
Joyce Bulifant at the screening of “Po” on April 5, 2016, in Hollywood, California.
2020s
From her memorable roles to her triumphs over personal challenges, Joyce Bulifant has left an indelible mark on Hollywood and the hearts of her fans. At 87, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty in perseverance and unwavering hope.
