Valerie Mahaffey, an Emmy-winning performer celebrated for her roles in ‘Northern Exposure’, ‘Big Sky’, and ‘Sully’, passes away at the age of 71.

Valerie Mahaffey, the esteemed Emmy-winning actress celebrated for her roles in television series such as “Northern Exposure,” “Big Sky,” and “Desperate Housewives,” as well as her performances in films like “Sully” and “Seabiscuit,” has passed away. She had reached the age of 71.

Mahaffey’s husband, actor Joseph Kell, revealed that she passed away on May 30 in Los Angeles following a courageous fight against cancer.

In 1992, Mahaffey clinched the Emmy for supporting comedy actress, thanks to her portrayal of the hypochondriac Eve in the fictional Alaskan town showcased in CBS’ dramedy “Northern Exposure,” which captivated audiences from 1990 to 1995.

Recently, Mahaffey made an appearance in the Apple TV+ series “Echo 3” and starred alongside Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges in the 2020 indie film “French Exit.” For the latter, she received a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award for her portrayal of the hopeful Madame Reynard in Azazel Jacobs’ dark comedy.

Mahaffey’s early years were spent in Indonesia, where she resided until the age of 11. Subsequently, she resided in a variety of locations, including Nigeria, Texas, and England. Her acting career commenced on the stage in New York City. She graced the stage in six Broadway productions, notably featuring in “Dracula” alongside Raul Julia during the late 1970s, as well as the Harold Prince-directed “Play Memory”, which had a brief stint in 1984.