Valerie Mahaffey of The Doctors, Northern Exposure, and Young Sheldon fame passed away at the age of 71 on Friday, May 30, in Los Angeles after battling cancer, according to her husband and fellow actor, Joseph Kell (Port Charles, Relativity). The award-winning actress was not only a mainstay in Hollywood, but Mahaffey’s ability to play virtually any role led to her amassing a uniquely impressive resume during a nearly 50-year career while working tirelessly on television, in films, and on stage. Kell said of his wife in a statement issued to Variety:
“I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most endearing actresses. She will be missed.”
Mahaffey made her debut on Broadway in director Edwin Sherin’s musical Rex, which ran from April to June 1976 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City. The actress appeared as both Catherine Howard and a member of the show’s ensemble, while also serving as the understudy for Queen Claude of France, who was portrayed by Martha Danielle. The lavish production also featured Hollywood icon Glenn Close as Princess Mary.

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Mahaffey appeared on television for the first time the following year in the made-for-TV-movie Tell Me My Name (1977). In 1979, the actress joined the long-running medical drama The Doctors as Ashley Bennett. Mahaffey starred in over 100 episodes of the series until 1980, and she was even nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for her portrayal of Bennett, but the actress would have to wait another 12 years before finally earning her first and only Emmy victory.
Valerie Mahaffey Even Guest Starred on the “Show About Nothing”

Sony Pictures Television

Valerie Mahaffey followed up her brief but prolific stint on The Doctors by amassing one of the most impressive television, film, and stage resumes ever assembled by a character performer. After appearing as a replacement for the part of Lucy Seward in Dracula, the versatile actress continued her Broadway run with roles in Fearless Frank (1980), Scenes and Revelations (1981), Play Memory (1984), and The Loves of Anatol (1985). Mahaffey also continued her TV work by appearing on high-profile shows like Newhart, Cheers, and Quantum Leap — and then the talented Thespian showed up on the beloved “show about nothing.” Mahaffey’s chopsticks-in-her-hair character, Patrice, was dating none other than George Costanza (Jason Alexander) in the Seinfeld Season 3 episode “The Truth,” in which Jerry desperately needs her help with his income taxes, but then George breaks up with Patrice under the ole “it’s not you, it’s me” guise and ruins everything! Mahaffey gives a terrific performance in her appearance, but it was another show she began working on in 1991 that would lead to her one and only Primetime Emmy Award win. Mahaffey played Adam’s (Adam Arkin) “Reformed Christian Scientist” wife, Eve, in a handful of episodes from Season 3 through Season 5 of Northern Exposure, and she won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1992 for her indelible portrayal. Over the years that followed, Mahaffey appeared in numerous projects which took place on stage, television, and in the movies, including memorable parts in Wings, ER, Boston Legal, Adam Sandler’s Jack and Jill, and even Hannah Montana. However, many fans will always remember Mahaffey’s brilliant depiction of English teacher Vicky MacElroy in Young Sheldon. In the years following Young Sheldon, Mahaffey appeared several times on Big Sky, Dead to Me, and Apple TV+’s Echo 3. In 2021, the actress was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award thanks to her work as Mme. Reynard in the dark comedy French Exit. Sadly, after nearly 50 years in show business, the industry has lost one of its most valuable players. Rest in peace, Valerie Mahaffey. Sources: Variety, IMDb, IBDB

Young Sheldon

Release Date

2017 – 2024-00-00

Network

CBS

Iain Armitage

Sheldon Cooper