Valerie Mahaffey Dies at 71: Emmy-Winning Actress Remembered

Valerie Mahaffey, Emmy-Winning Actress, Dies at 71 After Cancer Battle

Valerie Mahaffey, the Emmy-winning actress best known for her standout roles in Desperate Housewives and Young Sheldon, has died at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer. She leaves behind a rich legacy of powerful performances across television, film, and stage.

Emmy-winning actress Valerie Mahaffey, who guest-starred as 'Tawny Cryer' in The West Wing, has died at 71 after battling cancer. Rest in peace ???? pic.twitter.com/ZbDaoUjKC9

— no context the west wing (@LemonLymancom) May 31, 2025

#ValerieMahaffey, the Emmy-winning actress celebrated for her roles in Northern Exposure, Desperate Housewives, and Dead to Me, has passed away at 71 after a battle with cancer.#News pic.twitter.com/2TnB4Zwdyd

— Filmfare (@filmfare) May 31, 2025

A Celebrated Career Spanning Over 40 Years

Mahaffey began her career in 1979 with the soap opera The Doctors, where her performance earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination. 

In 1992, she received a Primetime Emmy Award for her role as Eve, a quirky and unforgettable hypochondriac, in the CBS drama Northern Exposure — a role that became one of her most iconic.

Notable Television Roles

Valerie made a lasting impression on audiences through a wide variety of television roles:

Desperate Housewives: Played Alma Hodge, the cunning ex-wife of Orson Hodge.

Young Sheldon: Appeared as teacher Victoria MacElroy from 2017 to 2020.

Big Sky: Featured in the first season as Helen Pergman.

Dead to Me: Played Lorna Harding between 2019 and 2022.

Echo 3: Her final TV appearance on Apple TV+ in 2022.

She also guest-starred on numerous hit shows like Seinfeld, Cheers, ER, Grey’s Anatomy, The Mindy Project, Hannah Montana, Boston Legal, Law & Order: SVU, Ally McBeal, and many others.

Valerie Mahaffey’s Impactful Journey on the Big Screen

Valerie Mahaffey also made her mark in film. She earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her standout role in French Exit (2020) opposite Michelle Pfeiffer. Other film credits include:

Sully (2016)

Seabiscuit (2003)

Jungle 2 Jungle (1997)

Jack and Jill (2011)

Senior Trip (1995)

No Pay, Nudity (2016)

The 8th Day (2025), her final film, released after her death.