The Mary Tyler Moore Show star Georgia Engel dies aged 70

It has been confirmed that Georgia Engel, who was made famous by her role in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, has died at the age of 70.

The talented actress passed away on Friday in Princeton, New Jersey, Associated Press reports her friend and executor, John Quilty said.

According to the publication, the cause of her death is currently unknown as she was a Christian scientist and did not visit the doctor.

Engel is best known for her appearance in the American sitcom where she starred as soft-spoken Georgette Franklin, Ted Knight’s innocent and sweet girlfriend.

She first joined the show in 1972 during its third season, and was twice nominated for an Emmy Award for her fabulous acting abilities.

Engel then went on to star in a range of television shows including The Betty White Show, Goodtime Girls, Jennifer Slept Here, Coach and Everybody Loves Raymond.

She also appeared in plays and musicals on Broadway including ‘Hello, Dolly!’, ‘The Boys from Syracuse’ and ‘The Drowsey Chaperone’.

Tributes have begun to flow in since news of her passing spread with fellow stars such as Betty White taking a moment to reflect on her time working with the talented actress.

“Georgia was one of a kind and the absolute best,” The New York Times reports she said through a spokeswoman.

Fans have also shared their condolences in losing a great star with many taking to social media to express their sadness.

“I live in New York, so I am cool and unimpressed when I see celebrities — or at least I pretend to be,” one person wrote on Twitter. “An exception to that was the night I sat behind Georgia Engel in a theater [sic]. At intermission, I simply HAD to tell her how much I loved her — and Georgette. I’m really sad. RIP.”

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Another said: RIP the angelic Georgia Engel, sweeter-than-sweet girlfriend and wife of the pompous Ted Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. ‘The writers took a kernel of truth from all of us and then magnified it in our characters,’ she once said.”

While a third added: “Georgia Engel was the sweetest, kindest, dearest woman. And crazy talented. I will miss her.’

Do you remember watching Georgia Engel on television? What was your favourite show she starred in? Do you have a message of support for her family and friends?