‘Desperate Housewives,’ ‘Northern Exposure’ Star Valerie Mahaffey Dead At 71

Emmy-winning actress Valerie Mahaffey died May 30 at the age of 71 after a battle against cancer.

Mahaffey’s husband, Joseph Kell, issued a statement confirming her death, saying, “I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most endearing actresses. She will be missed,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. Mahaffey’s long list of credits include her role as the manipulative Alma Hodge, ex-wife of Kyle MacLachlan’s Orson Hodge, on “Desperate Housewives” from 2006-07, and her recurring role as teacher Victoria MacElroy on “Young Sheldon” from 2017-20.

Mahaffey first got her break on Broadway in the late 1970s, starring six times in “Dracula” and “Play Memory.” She simultaneously maintained her theater performances as well as the starring role in the NBC soap opera, “The Doctors.”

The talented actress won an Outstanding Supporting Actress Emmy in 1992 for her role as hypochondriac Eve in “Northern Exposure,” where she starred in five episodes over three seasons.

Some of her other notable credits included the films French Exit” with Michelle Pfeiffer, “Sully,” opposite Tom Hanks, “Seabiscuit,” “No Pay, Nudity,” “Summer Eleven,” and “Jungle 2 Jungle.” She appeared on episodes of “Newhart,” “The Truth,” “ER,” “Cheers,” “Big Sky,” “Dead to Me,” “The Mindy Project,” and a role on “Seinfeld,” as George’s former accountant.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JUNE 17: Actress Valerie Mahaffey attends the premiere party of Lifetime Original Series “Devious Maids” at the Bel-Air Bay Club on June 17, 2013 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Mahaffey’s most recent roles were in the Apple TV+ series “Echo 3,” and the film “The 8th Day,” in 2025.

The actress is survived Kell and their daughter Alice Richards. (RELATED: ‘MASH’ Star Loretta Swit Dead At 87)

Fans and loved ones continue to pay tribute to the star on social media as they mourn the loss of the beloved actress.