Valerie Harper Dies At 80, Mary Tyler Moore Show Star Loses Battle With Cancer

We relay our condolences to the family and friends of actress Valerie Harper, who passed away today, Friday, August 30 at the age of 80.

The Sad News Was Posted By Valerie’s Daughter

The sad news was posted on Twitter by Cristina Harper, Valerie’s daughter at her father, and Valerie’s husband Tony’s request. She had suffered from cancer for six years.

Valerie Became A Household Name Thanks To Her Portrayals Of Rhoda Morgenstern

Valerie became famous for her portrayal of the originally single Rhoda Morgenstern on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, later having her own television show called “Rhoda” where she married Joe Gerard, played by David Groh. The 1977 episode showing their wedding garnered 52 million viewers.

She Later Returned to Situation Comedy With Her Own Show Again, “Valerie”

In 1986 Valerie returned to situation comedy with her own show, “Valerie” in which she played a family matriarch, Valerie Hogan. However, in 1987 she became embroiled in a contract dispute and she was let go from the series, which was renamed “The Hogan Family” and the matriarch was replaced by actress Sandy Duncan.

She Won Three Prime Time Emmys

She won three Prime Time Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy series during her time as Rhoda in the Mary Tyler Moore Show. She won the Emmy for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Comedy Series in 1975.

Harper and Moore Made A TV Movie

Valerie Harper and Mary Tyler Moore made a TV Movie called “Mary And Rhoda”, and later reunited with more of their Mary Tyler Moore co-stars in a 2013 episode of “Hot In Cleveland”. The episode featured Betty White (Sue Ann), Cloris Leachman (Phyllis), and Georgia Engle (Georgette), and was titled “Love Is All Around” as a nod to the original Mary Tyler Moore theme song.

Valerie Had Just Had Her 80th Birthday A Few Days Before Her Death

Valerie just had her 80th birthday a few days before her death. She was born on August 22, 1939. Her parents, Howard and Ida, were a lighting salesman and a nurse and Valerie was born in Suffren, New York. She had attended an acting school, Quintano’s School For Young Professionals in Manhattan, New York. Some of her famous classmates were the late Carol Lynley and Sal Mineo. Another classmate was Tuesday Weld.

Harper Wished That The Rhoda Producers Would Have Given The Character A Better Sendoff

Valerie wrote that she had wished that producer would have given “Rhoda” a better sendoff with a proper ending instead of just a show cancellation. However, she worked regularly after “Rhoda’s” cancellation, guest-starring on such programs as “Desperate Housewives”, “Sex and the City” and “Drop Dead Diva”. She also did cartoon character voices for “American Dad’ and “The Simpsons” and even competed in “Dancing With The Stars.”

Former Costar Ed Asner Posted A Tribute

Former costar Ed Asner, known as Lou Grant on the Mary Tyler Moore show posted a tribute via social media as follows: “Her brilliance burst through and shined its light upon all of us. Goodnight beautiful, I’ll see you soon.”