Valerie Harper

Rhoda Morgenstern (Valerie Harper), Mary’s best friend, and Phyllis Lindstrom (Cloris Leachman), Mary’s superficial landlord, round out the cast of characters. The half-hour episodes chronicled the conflicts and debacles that occurred in the professional and personal lives of the characters.

…Ted Knight, Cloris Leachman, and Valerie Harper, Asner played the role of Lou Grant, the headstrong but endearing boss of a local television news station at which Mary Richards (played by Mary Tyler Moore) worked. Asner’s distinct voice and stocky build made him a perfect fit for the character. He…