Valerie Mahaffey, Emmy-Winning Actor Known for ‘Northern Exposure,’ ‘Big Sky’ and ‘Sully,’ Dies at 71

Valerie Mahaffey, the Emmy-winning actor known for 'Northern Exposure,' 'Big Sky,' 'Sully' and many other movies and TV series, has died. She was 71.

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Valerie Mahaffey, the Emmy-winning actor known for such TV series as “Northern Exposure,” “Big Sky” and “Desperate Housewives” and films including “Sully” and “Seabiscuit,” has died. She was 71.

Mahaffey’s husband, actor Joseph Kell, disclosed that she died May 30 in Los Angeles after a battle with cancer.

“I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most endearing actresses. She will be missed,” Kell said.

Mahaffey won the supporting comedy actress Emmy in 1992 for her work as a hypochondriac Eve in the fictional Alaskan town featured in CBS’ fish-out-of-water dramedy “Northern Exposure,” which aired from 1990 to 1995.

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Most recently, Mahaffey was seen in the Apple TV+ series “Echo 3” and the 2020 indie film “French Exit” opposite Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges. For the latter, she earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her role as the optimstic Madame Reynard in Azazel Jacobs’ dark comedy.

She co-starred in David E. Kelley’s ensemble detective drama series “Big Sky,” which aired on ABC in 2020 and 2021. She played the grandiose Lorna Harding character in the first two seasons of Netflix’s dark comedy “Dead to Me,” opposite Christina Applegate.

Mahaffey was born in Indonesia and lived in the country until she was 11. After that she lived in such disparate spots as Nigeria, Texas and England. Her acting career began on the stage in New York City. She appeared in six Broadway plays, including “Dracula” opposite Raul Julia in the late 1970s and the Harold Prince-directed “Play Memory,” which had a short run in 1984.

Mahaffey also starred in numerous Off-Broadway and regional plays. She collected two Obie Awards, one for “Top Girls” at the Public Theatre, the other for Alan Bennett’s “Talking Heads” at the Minetta Lane. Other theater credits included “Othello” opposite Morgan Freeman and “Romeo and Juliet” with Tom Hulce.

Mahaffey’s versatility made her constantly in demand for TV guest shots and character arcs. Her dozens of series credits include the Norman Lear-produced “The Powers That Be,” “Seinfeld,” “Wings,” “ER,” “Young Sheldon,” “Man in the High Castle,” “The Mindy Project,” “Devious Maids,” “Glee,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Hannah Montana,” “Boston Legal” and “Private Practice.” Earlier TV appearances included guest shots on “Cheers,” “Newhart,” “Quantum Leap,” “Dream On,” “L.A. Law,” “Caroline in the City,” “Ally McBeal,” “Judging Amy,” “Law & Order: SVU” and “CSI.”

Film credits include “Jungle 2 Jungle,” “No Pay, Nudity,” “My First Wedding” and 2025’s “The 8th Day.” In 2010, Mahaffey produced and starred in the family drama “Summer Eleven” with her daughter Alice Richards. The film was written and directed by Kell.

Friends said Mahaffey was naturally kind-hearted and exuded a warm and infectious energy.

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