Fans Can’t Believe How Stunning She Looks at 87 – See ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ Star’s Transformation

This beloved star from The Mary Tyler Moore Show won fans over with her iconic role and charm. However, behind the scenes, her life was full of challenges, including difficult marriages, resilience, and self-discovery. Let’s take a look at her incredible journey and see what she looks like today.

Born in Newport News, Virginia, the actress often jokes about her Southern roots, saying her mother preferred the more refined Hampton Newport News. However, her childhood was not easy. After her parents divorced, she spent time in foster homes and an orphanage. Though these experiences were tough, they taught her resilience. Reflecting on that time, she said, “It was a little difficult. But it all worked out because it taught me how to get along in different situations.”

Her love for acting started when she was 14. She performed in a school play at Solebury, a boarding school, which caught the attention of a producer. He invited her to perform at a summer theater in New Angola, Pennsylvania, where she spent the next three years. The theater had previously nurtured Kirk Douglas. She worked hard in the theater, playing roles, managing props, handling lights, and even cleaning toilets. This experience helped her build a career that would last over 60 years.

Her big break came when she landed a role in The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

On the show, she played Marie Slaughter, the cheerful wife of Murray, played by Gavin MacLeod. Although she considered herself a recurring character, her bubbly personality and distinctive voice made her a fan favorite. “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 of me, they think of Marie Slaughter. I’m always amazed,” the actress said.

She fondly remembered her time on the show, especially Valerie Harper, who was kind and offered to help with her lines. Despite her sunny disposition on screen, the actress faced many challenges in her personal life, including four difficult marriages and a 30-day stay in rehab in 1999 for “co-dependency issues.”

She explained that her poor choices in love were due to her ego. “Most alcoholics I find are very sensitive until they start drinking. […] I believed if they knew I loved them, they wouldn’t drink anymore. But I didn’t realize it was a disease.”

Her first marriage was to James MacArthur, known for his role in Hawaii Five-O. Though it started full of hope, it ended due to verbal abuse and conflict. She described how he would belittle her and their children, and the emotional scars lasted long after. Her second marriage, to Edward Mallory from Days of Our Lives, also didn’t work. While he didn’t abuse their children, his dark moods and constant yelling created a stressful home life.

Her third marriage, to William Asher, the director of Bewitched, lasted 17 years but was filled with struggles due to his health issues. He became dependent on medication and alcohol, which changed his personality. “He became angry and difficult. I had to tell him, ‘If you get help, I’ll stay with you. But if not, I can’t do this anymore,'” she revealed.

Her fourth marriage to pilot Glade Bruce Hansen lasted only a year, but her fifth marriage to Roger Perry was the love story she had longed for. They first met in 1962 but didn’t marry until years later. Their relationship was described as a miracle, and her children deeply respected him. Their 18-year marriage was full of love, a sharp contrast to her previous marriages. “We were like ships passing in the night. A friend of ours called us star-crossed lovers,” she said.

After Perry’s passing in 2018, the actress found comfort in their spiritual connection, often sensing his presence. Today, she’s a proud mother and grandmother, enjoying spoiling her grandkids. “I love it. You really get to do the spoiling,” she said with a laugh.

In addition to her family life, she also used her platform to raise awareness about dyslexia, a condition she struggled with her whole life. She didn’t know she had it until her son’s school principal told her. “I went for years thinking I was stupid,” she admitted. Learning about her condition changed her life, and she used acting to help overcome it. Adding emotion and action to words made them easier to understand.

The actress emphasized the importance of addressing dyslexia early so others don’t feel inadequate, as she did for years.

Her life, full of triumphs and struggles, is also the subject of her memoir, My Four Hollywood Husbands. In it, she shares a candid account of her career, marriages, and personal growth.

At 87, Joyce Bulifant continues to impress people with her beauty and strength. Fans on social media praise her, saying things like, “She looks good for 87!!” and “Still looking good. Beautiful eyes.” Her story is a powerful reminder of perseverance and hope.