Emmy-winningactress Valerie Mahaffey, best known for her role on the TV series "Northern Exposure," has died. She was 71. Mahaffey's publicist Jillian Roscoe confirmed to USA TODAY the actress died Friday, May 30, after a battle withcancer. Her five-decade career included performances on the Broadway stage, countless television appearances and roles in films such as "Seabiscuit," "Sully," "Jungle 2 Jungle" and "No Pay, Nudity." Mahaffey earned a supporting actressDaytime Emmy nominationin 1980 for her role in the NBC soap opera "The Doctors." In 1992, she would win aPrimetime Emmyfor best supporting actress in a drama series for her role as Eve in "Northern Exposure." Most recently, Mahaffey appeared in the Apple TV+ thriller "Echo 3," "The 8th Day" and the film"French Exit,"for which she earned anIndependent Spirit Awardsupporting actress nomination. 'As close as family':Loretta Swit honored by 'M*A*S*H' co-stars Alan Alda, Jamie Farr Born and raised in Indonesia until the age of 11, Mahaffey also lived in Nigeria, Texas and England. She is survived by her husband Joseph Kell and her daughter Alice. "I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most endearing actresses," her husband said in a statement. "She will be missed." Her daughter, who starred in the 2010 film "Summer Eleven," which Mahaffey produced and appeared in (Kell directed), said in a post on Instagram: "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💕🪽 i know we'll see each other again someday. i love you infinity much." View this post on Instagram A post shared by alice richards (@aliceziolkoski) After her regular role as Ashley Bennett on "The Doctors," Mahaffey began a steady stream of TV appearances including recurring roles as Alma Hodge, the devious ex-wife of Orson Hodge (Kyle MacLachlan) over nine episodes (2006-2007) on "Desperate Housewives," the teacher Victoria MacElroy (2017-2020) on "Young Sheldon," and on theNetflix comedy "Dead to Me," as Christina Applegate's mother-in law, Lorna Harding, for nine episodes (2019-2022). Mahaffey also had guest appearances on comedies such as "Cheers," "Seinfeld" and "Newhart." George Wendt:'Cheers' stars Ted Danson, John Ratzenberger and Rhea Perlman pay tribute Mahaffey's early career included Broadway plays such as "Dracula," in which she performed with Raul Julia. She also won two Obie Awards for off-Broadway plays "Top Girls" at the Public Theatre and for Alan Bennett's "Talking Heads" at the Minetta Lane. Her other theater credits include playing Desdemona in "Othello" opposite Morgan Freeman, and Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet" with Tom Hulce. What's everyone talking about?Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day Mike Snider is a reporter on USA TODAY's Trending team. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him atmikegsnider&@mikegsnider.bsky.social&@mikesnider& msnider@usatoday.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Valerie Mahaffey dead: 'Young Sheldon,' 'Northern Exposure' star dies
