Bernadette Peters Recalls Fond Memories of Mary Tyler Moore

Famed Broadway star Bernadette Peters spoke fondly of her friend and Broadway Barks co-founder, Mary Tyler Moore, who passed away this week at age 80.

Peters told ABC's 20/20, "Mary will go down in the annals of comedy history as a genius comedy actor. She was an original... She came from a true place inside herself, which we all can relate to. She made us look at it in a different way, in a funny way."

Peters also praised Moore's pioneering effect on the role of women in media, "She was actually one of the first to actually portray a modern woman on television, and she was one of the greats." Peters said, "'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' was a woman out in the world by herself making her way, being independent, being smart. So therefore, women everywhere looked up to her."

Recalling a memorable moment on set with her friend, Peters laughingly told 20/20, "I remember - we were washing our hands. All of a sudden she looked in the mirror and said, 'You know the one great thing about growing older is you don't have to shave your legs as much. And I just thought, 'Oh Mary, you are really funny."

"Her heart was bigger than anyone I've ever met, really," Peters said. "She would like to be remembered as a humanitarian ... she will be remembered as the comic genius that she was. She will be remembered as a huge, huge star in many areas on television and movies and stage. She'll be remembered as a great beauty."