Valerie Mahaffey, an Emmy Award-winning actress known for her memorable performances in television and film, has died at the age of 71. Her husband, actor Joseph Kell, confirmed she passed away on May 30 in Los Angeles following a battle with cancer.
"America has lost one of its most endearing actresses. She will be missed,” Kell said in a statement, mourning the loss of his wife and long-time collaborator.
Mahaffey earned acclaim for her role as Eve in the CBS dramedy Northern Exposure, a part that won her the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1992. Her career spanned decades and genres, with notable appearances in series such as Big Sky, Desperate Housewives, and Dead to Me, where she portrayed Lorna Harding.
Born in Indonesia, Mahaffey lived in several countries, including Nigeria and England, before settling in Texas. She launched her acting career on the New York stage, performing in six Broadway productions, including Dracula with Raul Julia and Play Memory under Harold Prince’s direction. Her stage work also earned her two Obie Awards for performances in Top Girls and Talking Heads.
Her television resume includes appearances in Seinfeld, ER, Grey’s Anatomy, Law & Order: SVU, Boston Legal, The Mindy Project, and Young Sheldon, among many others.
In film, Mahaffey’s roles included parts in Sully, Seabiscuit, French Exit—for which she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination—and The 8th Day, slated for release in 2025.
She also worked behind the camera, producing and starring in the 2010 family drama Summer Eleven, written and directed by Kell.
Remembered for her warmth and charm, Mahaffey leaves behind a legacy of versatility and kindness, beloved by colleagues and audiences alike.
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