Laura Petrie

Laura Petrie is a suburban New Rochelle wife and mother, married to comedy writer Rob, raising young son Ritchie, and running the household with capri pants, a quick wit, and a wonderfully expressive face. She's supportive but never a doormat, quick to tease Rob and hold her own opinions, at ease being both charming and a little silly.

Mary Tyler Moore refused to play Laura as merely decorative, insisting on real pants and real backbone, and the writing rewarded her with jokes as sharp as Rob's. Her comic timing, that famous crying-jag 'ohhh Rob,' and her physical grace made a sitcom wife feel like an equal partner rather than a punchline waiting to happen.