Valerie Harper

Valerie Harper (August 22, 1939 – August 30, 2019) was an American actress and comedian whose career spanned more than six decades. Born in Suffern, New York, she began her career in theater and Broadway before transitioning to television. Harper achieved stardom as Rhoda Morgenstern, the wisecracking best friend on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' (1970-1977), earning four Emmy Award nominations for the role. Her character proved so popular that she headlined her own spin-off series, 'Rhoda' (1974-1978), which became a massive hit. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Harper appeared in numerous television shows and films, maintaining her reputation as a talented comedic actress. Later in her career, she appeared on 'Hot in Cleveland' and continued working in television until her final years. She was also known for her philanthropy and advocacy work. Harper's influence on television comedy was significant; she helped redefine the role of supporting characters and demonstrated their potential to carry entire series. Her warmth, timing, and authenticity made her beloved by audiences and respected by her peers throughout Hollywood.