Bernadette Peters remembers her partnership with Mary Tyler Moore as a comedy double act.
The 78-year-old Broadway star discussed their years hosting Broadway Barks in an interview with PEOPLE published October 11.
The friends first became close while filming the 1990 television movie The Last Best Year. They later co-founded the New York animal-adoption organization, which dates its beginnings to 1998 on the Broadway Barks website.
Peters shared the memories while participating in the campaign for the Frances Valentine x Mary Tyler Moore collection, which celebrates her late friend’s television style.
Moore Made Peters Part of the Comedy at Broadway Barks
Peters’ idea for the event followed a visit to a New York City shelter that needed help. She approached Moore, a fellow animal advocate, about bringing adoptable pets to Shubert Alley in the theater district.
“Mary said yes right away and joined forces,” Peters recalled. “And we were a great team. We were like Burns and Allen actually.” The comparison was to George Burns and Gracie Allen, the husband-and-wife comedy team.
Moore enjoyed the unpredictable moments during their appearances and would improvise around whatever happened. “She’d make fun of me,” Peters said. “She was such a great partner. I miss her so much.”
Moore Hosted Peters’ Wedding and Served as Maid of Honor
When Peters married Michael Wittenberg in 1996, Moore offered her home in Millbrook, New York, for the ceremony. Peters recalled the preparations in a September 30 PEOPLE interview.
Moore decorated the tree beneath which they married, arranged flowers along the aisle and served as maid of honor. The wedding party wore cream or white, and a tent was set up for the celebration.
Their husbands became close, too. Peters and Wittenberg traveled with Moore and Dr. S. Robert Levine, spending time together as an extended family. Wittenberg died in a helicopter crash in 2005. Moore died in 2017 at 80.
Peters Names Her Favorites From the Moore Collection
The capsule collection launched September 29, drawing on Moore’s wardrobes as Laura Petrie in The Dick Van Dyke Show and Mary Richards in The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Peters singled out the cropped Petrie Pant among her favorites in a separate PEOPLE interview. She also chose the Wool Peacoat and knit MTM Hat, which recall Moore’s look in the opening credits of her namesake sitcom.
“It’s just wonderful just to see them come alive again,” Peters said of the clothes.
Frances Valentine says 20% of net sales from the collection benefits the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative. Founded by Levine, the organization supports research to preserve and restore vision for people with diabetes.
Peters Returned to Broadway Barks With Andrew Rannells This Summer
Peters co-hosted the 28th annual Broadway Barks with Andrew Rannells on July 11. According to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the event brought animals from 26 area shelters and rescue organizations to Shubert Alley.
Performers including Shoshana Bean, Deborah Cox, Ana Gasteyer and Laurie Metcalf introduced pets to the crowd. “Xander peed on me earlier, and I feel blessed,” Peters joked while introducing one dog. Rannells suggested that whoever adopted him could boast about their pet’s encounter with Peters.
In an October 5 interview with the Santa Barbara Independent, Peters said Broadway performers make time for the adoption event between their Saturday shows. She has also helped establish a London counterpart, West End Woofs, with Elaine Paige.