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Valerie Mahaffey

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Valerie Mahaffey

Valerie Mahaffey (June 16, 1953 – May 30, 2025) was a Canadian-American actress. She began her career starring in the NBC daytime soap opera The Doctors (1979–81), for which in 1980 she was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. In 1992, Mahaffey won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in the CBS drama series Northern Exposure. She later appeared in television shows such as Wings, Desperate Housewives, Devious Maids, Young Sheldon, and Dead to Me. Mahaffey also appeared in a number of movies, including Senior Trip (1995), Jungle 2 Jungle (1997), Jack and Jill (2011), Sully (2016). For her role in French Exit (2020) she received critical acclaim and an Independent Spirit Award nomination.

Infobox

Born
(1953-06-16)June 16, 1953Sumatra, Indonesia
Died
May 30, 2025(2025-05-30) (aged 71)Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Education
University of Texas at Austin (BFA)
Occupation
Actress
Years active
1976–2025
Spouse
Joseph Kell
Children
1

Tables

· Filmography › Film
1996
Role(s)
Miss Tracy Milford
1997
Role(s)
Jan Kempster
1999
Dinner at Fred's
Role(s)
Susan
2002
Par 6
Role(s)
Pecan Hegelman
2003
Role(s)
Annie Howard
2006
Role(s)
Grace
2008
Role(s)
Grace
2010
Summer Eleven
Role(s)
Linda
2011
Role(s)
Bitsy Simmons
2012
Role(s)
Lydia
Role(s)
Mo
2015
Role(s)
Lisa
2016
Role(s)
Diane Higgins
2018
The Witch Files
Role(s)
Claire's mom
2020
Role(s)
Madame Reynaud
Notes
Nominated—Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female
2025
The 8th Day
Role(s)
Landon Mooney
TBA
Role(s)
GRQ the Movie
Notes
Aunt Emily
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1996
Senior Trip
Miss Tracy Milford
1997
Jungle 2 Jungle
Jan Kempster
1999
Dinner at Fred's
Susan
2002
Par 6
Pecan Hegelman
2003
Seabiscuit
Annie Howard
2006
My First Wedding
Grace
2008
A Previous Engagement
Grace
2010
Summer Eleven
Linda
2011
Jack and Jill
Bitsy Simmons
2012
If I Were You
Lydia
2012
Crazy Eyes
Mo
2015
No Pay, Nudity
Lisa
2016
Sully
Diane Higgins
2018
The Witch Files
Claire's mom
2020
French Exit
Madame Reynaud
Nominated—Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female
2025
The 8th Day
Landon Mooney
TBA
GRQ the Movie
Aunt Emily
Completed
· Filmography › Television
1977
Tell Me My Name
Role(s)
Alexandra/Sarah
Notes
Television film
1979–1981
Role(s)
The Doctors
Notes
Ashley Bennett
1984
Role(s)
Jane
Notes
Episode: "The Open Window"
1986
Role(s)
Mrs. Bill
Notes
TV short
Role(s)
Alice
Notes
Episode: "The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket"
Role(s)
Tiffany Kensington
Notes
TV mini-series
Role(s)
Lt. Katherine R. Grace
Notes
Television film
1987
Role(s)
Jolene
Notes
Episode: "Love Letters in the Mud"
Role(s)
Colleen
Notes
Episode: "Till Death Do Us Part"
1989
Role(s)
D.A. Barbara August
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
D.A. Barbara August
Notes
Television film
1990
An Enemy of the People
Role(s)
Mrs. Stockman
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
Justine Hemmings
Notes
Episode: "The Solid Gold Headache Mystery"
Role(s)
Mary Greely
Notes
Episode: "The Boogieman – October 31, 1964"
1991
Role(s)
Valerie Hill
Notes
Episode: "Achilles Hill"
Role(s)
Lottie
Notes
Episode: "The Talisman"
Role(s)
Tammy Morrison
Notes
Episode: "One Night with Elliot"
Role(s)
Patrice
Notes
Episode: "The Truth"
1991–1994
Role(s)
Northern Exposure
Notes
Eve
1992
Till Death Us Do Part
Role(s)
Gail Bugliosi
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
Helen Harley
Notes
Episode: "Up All Night"
1992–1993
Role(s)
The Powers That Be
Notes
Caitlyn Van Horne
1993
Role(s)
Chris Samuels
Notes
Television film
1993–1996
Role(s)
Wings
Notes
Sandy Cooper
1994
Role(s)
Andrea Rossoff
Notes
Episode: "Cold Cuts"
Role(s)
Trudy
Notes
Television film
1995
Role(s)
Jennifer Malone
Notes
6 episodes
1995–1996
Role(s)
The Client
Notes
Ellie Foltrigg
1996
Role(s)
Alicia Crawford-Lane
Notes
Episode: "Caroline and the Therapist"
1997
Role(s)
Martha
Notes
Episode: "The Thanksgiving Show"
1999
ER
Role(s)
Joi Abbott
Notes
4 episodes
2000
Role(s)
Gloria Barrell
Notes
Episode: "Guess Who's Paying for Dinner"
Role(s)
Dr. Sally Muggins
Notes
Episode: "I Will Survive"
2001
Role(s)
Janet Rove
Notes
Episode: "Trapped in a Small Environment"
Role(s)
Sally Osgoode
Notes
Episode: "Neighborhood Watch"
Role(s)
Virginia Hytner
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
Ms. Morlock
Notes
Episode: "The Unbearable Lightness of Being Family"
Role(s)
Tawny Cryer, Appropriations Committee
Notes
Episode: "Gone Quiet"
2002
Role(s)
Brook Thornburg
Notes
Episode: "Justice"
2003
Role(s)
Peggy
Notes
Episode: "Maris Returns"
2004
Role(s)
Bonnie Toland
Notes
Episode: "Shadows"
2005
Role(s)
Barb
Notes
Episode: "...and I'll Cry If I Want to"
2006
Role(s)
Carolyn Pierce
Notes
Episode: "Friends in High Places"
Role(s)
Dora Pomerantz
Notes
Episode: "Happenstance"
2006–2007, 2012
Role(s)
Desperate Housewives
Notes
Alma Hodge
2007
Role(s)
Arlene
Notes
Episode: "Pilot"
Role(s)
Marilyn Sullivan
Notes
Episode: "In Which Charlotte Goes Down the Rabbit Hole"
2008
Role(s)
Mary Winston
Notes
Episode: "Mad About You"
2009
Role(s)
Dr. Ocean
Notes
7 episodes
2010
Role(s)
Ariel
Notes
Episode: "Better with Road Joel"
Role(s)
Ms. Jameson
Notes
Episode: "I'll Always Remember You"
Role(s)
Margine
Notes
Episode: "Meet the Grandparents"
2011–2013
Role(s)
Glee
Notes
Rose Pillsbury
2012
Role(s)
Anne
Notes
Episode: "He's Gotta Have It"
2013
Role(s)
Fran Horowitz
Notes
6 episodes
2013, 2015
Role(s)
Devious Maids
Notes
Olivia Rice
Role(s)
Donna Kaufman
Notes
Episode: "Somebody That I Used to Know"
2014
Role(s)
Victoria
Notes
Episode: "The Dinner Party"
Role(s)
Mae
Notes
3 episodes
2015
Role(s)
Celeste
Notes
Episode: "Blood Drive"
Role(s)
Susie Kerry
Notes
Episode: "Honor Thy Boyfriend's Father and Mother"
2016
Role(s)
Juliet
Notes
Episode: "So You Think You Can Finance"
2017
Role(s)
Susan
Notes
Recurring role, 3 episodes
2017–2020
Role(s)
Young Sheldon
Notes
Ms. MacElroy
2019–2022
Role(s)
Dead to Me
Notes
Lorna Harding
2020–2021
Role(s)
Big Sky
Notes
Helen Pergman
2022
Role(s)
Maggie Chesborough
Notes
3 episodes
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1977
Tell Me My Name
Alexandra/Sarah
Television film
1979–1981
The Doctors
Ashley Bennett
Nominated—Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1980)
1984
Tales of the Unexpected
Jane
Episode: "The Open Window"
1986
Mr. Bill's Real Life Adventures
Mrs. Bill
TV short
1986
American Playhouse
Alice
Episode: "The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket"
1986
Fresno
Tiffany Kensington
TV mini-series
1986
Women of Valor
Lt. Katherine R. Grace
Television film
1987
Newhart
Jolene
Episode: "Love Letters in the Mud"
1987
Jack and Mike
Colleen
Episode: "Till Death Do Us Part"
1989
Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder
Barbara August
Television film
1989
Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin
Barbara August
Television film
1990
An Enemy of the People
Mrs. Stockman
Television film
1990
Father Dowling Mysteries
Justine Hemmings
Episode: "The Solid Gold Headache Mystery"
1990
Quantum Leap
Mary Greely
Episode: "The Boogieman – October 31, 1964"
1991
Cheers
Valerie Hill
Episode: "Achilles Hill"
1991
The Young Riders
Lottie
Episode: "The Talisman"
1991
Baby Talk
Tammy Morrison
Episode: "One Night with Elliot"
1991
Seinfeld
Patrice
Episode: "The Truth"
1991–1994
Northern Exposure
Eve
5 episodesPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1992)
1992
Till Death Us Do Part
Gail Bugliosi
Television film
1992
Dream On
Helen Harley
Episode: "Up All Night"
1992–1993
The Powers That Be
Caitlyn Van Horne
21 episodes
1993
They
Chris Samuels
Television film
1993–1996
Wings
Sandy Cooper
3 episodes
1994
Law
Andrea Rossoff
Episode: "Cold Cuts"
1994
Witch Hunt
Trudy
Television film
1995
Women of the House
Jennifer Malone
6 episodes
1995–1996
The Client
Ellie Foltrigg
4 episodes
1996
Caroline in the City
Alicia Crawford-Lane
Episode: "Caroline and the Therapist"
1997
George & Leo
Martha
Episode: "The Thanksgiving Show"
1999
ER
Joi Abbott
4 episodes
2000
Love & Money
Gloria Barrell
Episode: "Guess Who's Paying for Dinner"
2000
Ally McBeal
Dr. Sally Muggins
Episode: "I Will Survive"
2001
That's My Bush!
Janet Rove
Episode: "Trapped in a Small Environment"
2001
Night Visions
Sally Osgoode
Episode: "Neighborhood Watch"
2001
After Amy
Virginia Hytner
Television film
2001
Judging Amy
Ms. Morlock
Episode: "The Unbearable Lightness of Being Family"
2001
The West Wing
Tawny Cryer, Appropriations Committee
Episode: "Gone Quiet"
2002
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Brook Thornburg
Episode: "Justice"
2003
Frasier
Peggy
Episode: "Maris Returns"
2004
Without a Trace
Bonnie Toland
Episode: "Shadows"
2005
Out of Practice
Barb
Episode: "...and I'll Cry If I Want to"
2006
Crumbs
Carolyn Pierce
Episode: "Friends in High Places"
2006
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Dora Pomerantz
Episode: "Happenstance"
2006–2007, 2012
Desperate Housewives
Alma Hodge
9 episodes
2007
Raines
Arlene
Episode: "Pilot"
2007
Private Practice
Marilyn Sullivan
Episode: "In Which Charlotte Goes Down the Rabbit Hole"
2008
Boston Legal
Mary Winston
Episode: "Mad About You"
2009
United States of Tara
Dr. Ocean
7 episodes

References

  1. "Valerie Mahaffey"
    http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=73409
  2. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/01/arts/tigers-or-top-girls-valerie-mahaffey-adapts.html
  3. The Alcalde
    https://books.google.com/books?id=hM4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38
  4. Soap Opera Digest
    https://web.archive.org/web/20040818104130/http://www.soapoperadigest.com/emmys/winners1980/
  5. Television Academy
    https://www.emmys.com/bios/valerie-mahaffey
  6. "Valerie Mahaffey Credits"
    https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/valerie-mahaffey/credits/177986
  7. Glee Exclusive: Meet Emma's Parents Archived November 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, TV Guide
    https://www.tvguide.com/News/Glee-Most-Mahaffey-1037166.aspx
  8. "'Monday Mornings' review: David E. Kelley and Sanjay Gupta's medical drama off to a shaky start"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130831194903/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/02/monday-mornings-review-david-e-kelley-and-sanjay-guptas-medical-drama-off-to-a-shaky-start.html
  9. "TV Marathons Jump the Shark and Does "Bunheads" Still have a Chance?"
    http://www.thebacklot.com/tvot-jump-the-shark-marathon-bunheads-cancelled/07/2013/
  10. Rolling Stone
    https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/dead-to-me-season-2-trailer-989858/
  11. "Emmy spotlight: Can 'Dead To Me' bring Valerie Mahaffey back to the winner's circle?"
    https://www.goldderby.com/article/2020/emmy-spotlight-dead-to-me-valerie-mahaffey-netflix/
  12. Forbes
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffewing/2020/10/14/nyff-2020-french-exit-is-an-excellent-absurd-romp-with-memorable-performances/
  13. Polygon
    https://www.polygon.com/2020/10/10/21509859/french-exit-review-michelle-pfeiffer-lucas-hedges
  14. "Michelle Pfeiffer Delivers Oscar-Worthy Performance In Dazzling New York Film Fest Closing-Night Film 'French Exit' – Review, Analysis & Interview"
    https://deadline.com/video/michelle-pfeiffer-french-exit-review-analysis-interview-new-york-film-festival/
  15. "'Big Sky': Valerie Mahaffey Joins David E. Kelley's PI Drama Series For ABC"
    https://deadline.com/2020/08/big-sky-valerie-mahaffey-david-e-kelley-pi-drama-series-abc-1203005509/
  16. Variety
    https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/valerie-mahaffey-dead-actor-northern-exposure-sully-big-sky-1236414875/
  17. Northern Exposure
    https://people.com/valerie-mahaffey-northern-exposure-actress-dies-at-71-11745930
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