Valerie Mahaffey, the Emmy-winning actress celebrated for her eccentric and memorable roles across television and film, died Friday in Los Angeles following a battle with cancer, her publicist Jillian Roscoe confirmed. She was 71.
Mahaffey, best known for her standout performance as Eve in Northern Exposure—which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 1992—also left her mark on shows like Desperate Housewives, Dead to Me, Glee, Devious Maids, and Big Sky. From 1991 to 1994, she appeared in five episodes of CBS’s Northern Exposure, playing the quirky hypochondriac wife of Adam Arkin’s character.
More recently, she brought her signature charm to Young Sheldon, where she added another fan-favorite role to her decades-long career. Valerie Mahaffey’s portrayal in the film French Exit (2020) as the eccentric Madame Reynard earned her a Spirit Award nomination, starring alongside Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges.
With a career defined by nuance, wit, and originality, Valerie Mahaffey leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of television and film.
