NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VALERIE MAHAFFEY:
- Valerie Mahaffey died in Los Angeles on Friday, May 30, according to her husband, Joseph Kell, per Variety
- The Big Sky actress was 71 and had been diagnosed with cancer
- She famously won the Outstanding Supporting Actress Emmy for her role in CBS’ Northern Exposure in 1992
Valerie Mahaffey, an Emmy-winning actor who was recognised for her roles in the television series “Northern Exposure,” “Big Sky,” and “Desperate Housewives,” as well as in the films “Sully” and “Seabiscuit,” has passed away. Her age was 71.
She was seventy-one years old.
Actor Joseph Kell, who was married to Valerie Mahaffey, revealed that she passed away on May 30 in Los Angeles after a long and courageous fight against cancer. Mahaffey’s spouse, actor Joseph Kell, disclosed that she passed away on May 30 in Los Angeles following a protracted battle with cancer.
“I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most endearing actresses.” “She will be thought of fondly,” Kell added.Kell expressed his regret regarding her absence.
In 1992, Valerie Mahaffey was awarded the supporting comedy actress Emmy for her portrayal of the hypochondriac Eve in the fictitious Alaskan town that was the setting of CBS’ fish-out-of-water dramedy “Northern Exposure,” which aired from 1990 to 1995.
Mahaffey was most recently featured in the 2020 indie film “French Exit,” in which she starred alongside Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges, as well as the Apple TV+ series “Echo 3.” She was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her portrayal of the optimistic Madame Reynard in Azazel Jacobs’ dark comedy.
She was a co-star in the ensemble investigative drama series “Big Sky” directed by David E. Kelley, which was broadcast on ABC in 2020 and 2021. She portrayed the extravagant Lorna Harding character in the first two seasons of Netflix’s dark comedy “Dead to Me,” playing opposite Christina Applegate.
Mahaffey was born in Indonesia and resided there until the age of 11. Following that, she resided in a variety of disparate locations, including Nigeria, Texas, and England. She began her career as an actress by performing on stage in New York City.
Her acting career commenced on the stage in New York City. Six Broadway plays were performed by her, including the Harold Prince-directed “Play Memory,” which had a brief run in 1984, and “Dracula,” in which she starred alongside Raul Julia in the late 1970s.
Mahaffey also appeared in a plethora of regional and Off-Broadway productions. She received two Obie Awards: one for “Top Girls” at the Public Theatre and the other for Alan Bennett’s “Talking Heads” at the Minetta Lane. Other theatre credits include “Romeo and Juliet” with Tom Hulce and “Othello” with Morgan Freeman.
Mahaffey’s adaptability rendered her in high demand for television character cycles and guest appearances. Her numerous series credits include “The Powers That Be,” “Seinfeld,” “Wings,” “ER,” “Young Sheldon,” “Man in the High Castle,” “The Mindy Project,” “Devious Maids,” “Glee,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Hannah Montana,” “Boston Legal,” and “Private Practice,” all of which were produced by Norman Lear. Previous television appearances included guest appearances on “Cheers,” “Newhart,” “Quantum Leap,” “Dream On,” “L.A. Law,” “Caroline in the City,” “Ally McBeal,” “Judging Amy,” “Law & Order: SVU,” and “CSI.”
Credits in the film industry include “Jungle 2 Jungle,” “No Pay, Nudity,” “My First Wedding,” and “The 8th Day” from 2025. In 2010, Mahaffey collaborated with her daughter, Alice Richards, to produce and perform in the family drama “Summer Eleven.”
Kell was responsible for both the writing and directing of the films.
According to friends, Mahaffey was innately kind and radiated a genial and contagious energy.
