Valerie Mahaffey, Beloved Emmy-Winning Actress, Passes Away at 71

Wed Oct 22 2025 11:23:32 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Valerie Mahaffey, a treasured figure in television and an Emmy award winner, has died from cancer at the age of 71, her family confirmed.

Known for her diverse roles in shows like Desperate Housewives and Young Sheldon, Mahaffey's contributions to the arts will be remembered as her family grieves the loss.

Emmy-winning actress Valerie Mahaffey has sadly passed away at the age of 71, with her family announcing that she succumbed to cancer in California on Friday. Mahaffey's publicist shared this news with The Hollywood Reporter, revealing her battle with the disease prior to her death. The star's notable television roles include appearances in fan-favorites such as Desperate Housewives, Young Sheldon, and Big Sky, showcasing her versatility across genres.

Her husband, Joseph Kell, expressed his profound grief in a statement to Variety, declaring that not only has he lost "the love of [his] life," but America has lost one of its "most endearing actresses.” Their daughter, Alice, took to Facebook to share her sorrow, poignantly stating, "I don't really have the words to say right now. Cancer sucks. I'll look for you in all the fun moments of life. I know that's where you'll be."

Valerie Mahaffey first gained widespread acclaim in 1992 when she won an Emmy for her role as Eve in the dark comedy Northern Exposure. Prior to that, she received a daytime Emmy for her work on the soap opera The Doctors between 1979 and 1981. Mahaffey also made significant contributions to film, with appearances in projects like Sully and Seabiscuit. More recently, she garnered attention for her role as Madame Reynard in the 2020 film French Exit, even earning a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award.

Born in Sumatra, Indonesia to a Canadian mother and an American father, Mahaffey moved to Texas as a teenager. She began her film career in 1977 with a role in Tell Me My Name and went on to work in numerous television series including ER, The Man in the High Castle, and Glee. Among her most memorable performances was her role as Alma Hodge, the manipulative ex-wife on Wisteria Lane during her eight-episode run in Desperate Housewives. In Young Sheldon, she further captivated audiences as the character Victoria MacElroy, a role that allowed her to showcase her talent in a spinoff of the popular Big Bang Theory.

Valerie Mahaffey's artistic legacy will undoubtedly endure as her contributions to the entertainment world continue to resonate with fans and colleagues alike.