Emmy-winning actor Valerie Mahaffey—known for roles in TV series Desperate Housewives and Big Sky—has died at 71. Mahaffey’s husband, actor Joseph Kell, said in a statement to Variety 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. After winning an Emmy in 1992 for her role as a hypochondriac in the dramedy Northern Exposure, Mahaffey appeared in dozens of hit shows, including her memorable turn as Alma Hodge, a manipulative ex-wife in ABC’s Desperate Housewives. She was recently featured in the Apple TV+ series’ Echo 3 and the 2020 indie film French Exit along with additional roles in films Sully and Seabiscuit. Mahaffey’s daughter added in a Facebook post, “I don’t really have the words to say right now. Cancer sucks. I’ll look for you in all the fun moments of life. I know that’s where you’ll be.”
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