Actress Valerie Mahaffey, recognized for her performances in
Desperate Housewives
and
Young Sheldon
, has
died
at the age of 71 following a struggle with cancer.
The actress — known for portraying Alma Hodge, Orson Hodge’s ex-wife, in one show and teacher Victoria MacElroy in another — was also honored for her role as Eve in the ’90s sitcom.
Northern Exposure
, earning her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
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Her debut in
The Doctors
in 1980 also saw her nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, and more recently she was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her 2020 film
French Exit
.
Her death was confirmed by her husband, actor Joseph Kell, who shared that she passed yesterday on Friday May 30 (May 31 in Australia) in Los Angeles.
“I’ve lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most cherished actresses. She will surely be missed,” he stated, according to
Variety
.
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Their daughter Alice shared an Instagram post paying homage to her mother, including a picture of them gazing affectionately at one another.
“I don’t quite have the words to express how I feel right now. Cancer truly stinks. I’ll keep an eye out for you during all the enjoyable times in life. I’m sure that’s where you’ll be 💕” she wrote in the caption.
I know our paths will cross again one day. I love you infinitely,” she mentioned earlier, later updating the caption with “Thank you all for your heartfelt messages ❤️.
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Mahaffey was born in Indonesia and spent her formative years in Indonesia, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom prior to eventually resettling in Austin, Texas, where she completed both high school and university.
She debuted with the Broadway production of Rex and went on to balance her theatrical work alongside her film career, earning two Obie Awards along the way.
Top Girls
and
Talking Heads.
She also starred alongside Morgan Freeman in
Othello
and Tom Hulce in
Romeo and Juliet
.
Mahaffey was known for being a versatile actress, appearing in a variety of works over her five-decade-long career, including
Seinfeld
,
Quantum Leap
,
Ally McBeal
,
Judging Amy
,
The West Wing
,
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
,
Frasier
,
Wings
,
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
,
Private Practice
,
Boston Legal
,
Without a Trace
,
Raising Hope,
Glee,
and more recently
Dead to Me.
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She starred in Sully under the direction of Clint Eastwood, appearing alongside Tom Hanks, as well as in another film.
French Exit
She acted alongside Michelle Pfeiffer.
Pfeiffer shared a tribute to her deceased co-actor on social media, saying, “RIP Valerie. We were robbed of one of our most luminous stars yesterday. Truly an exceptional talent and person. You will be greatly missed.”
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