LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥� Celebrated actor Valerie Mahaffey, whose stage, film and television work ranged from Shakespeare to the hit 1990s series 鈥淣orthern Exposure,鈥� died at age 71 after a battle with cancer, according to a statement released Saturday by her publicist.
Mahaffey died Friday in Los Angeles, according to publicist Jillian Roscoe.
鈥淚 have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most endearing actresses. She will be missed," her husband, actor Joseph Kell, said in a statement. Survivors also include their daughter, Alice Richards.
Mahaffey's stage, film and television work included the soap opera 鈥淭he Doctors鈥� more than 45 years ago and encompassed roles in the TV series 鈥淵oung Sheldon" and 鈥淒esperate Housewives.鈥� She appeared in the movie 鈥淪ully鈥� with Tom Hanks, directed by Clint Eastwood, and played Madame Reynard in 鈥淔rench Exit鈥� with Michelle Pfeiffer.
She won an outstanding supporting actress in a drama series Emmy award for her portrayal of hypochondriac Eve on 鈥淣orthern Exposure.鈥� Mahaffey also appeared on television in 鈥淭he Powers That Be,鈥� 鈥淏ig Sky,鈥� 鈥淪einfeld,鈥� 鈥淲ings" and 鈥淓R.鈥� Her film credits include 鈥淛ungle 2 Jungle,鈥� 鈥淪enior Trip鈥� and 鈥淪eabiscuit.鈥�
As a child, Mahaffey lived in Indonesia, Nigeria, England and Texas.
The Associated Press
