Actress Valerie Harper dies; she was 80

Valerie Harper, a four-time Emmy winner for playing TV’s sassy, lovable Rhoda, dies at 80

Section:Gallery

Fri., Aug. 30, 2019

In this May 7, 2014, photo, actress and cancer survivor Valerie Harper, testifies before a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing to examine the fight against cancer on Capitol Hill in Washington. Valerie Harper, who scored guffaws and stole hearts as Rhoda Morgenstern on back-to-back hit sitcoms in the 1970s, has died, Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. She was 80.

Manuel Balce Ceneta Associated Press
In this May 9, 1971, photo, Actress Valerie Harper, left, and actor Ed Asner pose with their Emmy statuettes at the annual Primetime Emmy Awards presentation in Los Angeles, Calif. Valerie Harper, who scored guffaws and stole hearts as Rhoda Morgenstern on back-to-back hit sitcoms in the 1970s, has died, Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. She was 80.
In this Sept. 16, 1988, photo, Actress Valerie Harper, left, and her husband, Tony Cacciotti, hug and smile after a jury decided in her favor against Lorimar Telepictures Corp. in a dispute that ended her role in the “Valerie” television series, in Los Angeles. Valerie Harper, who scored guffaws and stole hearts as Rhoda Morgenstern on back-to-back hit sitcoms in the 1970s, has died, Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. She was 80.

Nick Ut Associated Press
In this Jan. 2007, photo, the cast of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” from left, Gavin MacLeod, Cloris Leachman, Mary Tyler Moore, Valerie Harper, Georgia Engel and Ed Asner, present the award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series at the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, in Los Angeles. Valerie Harper, who scored guffaws and stole hearts as Rhoda Morgenstern on back-to-back hit sitcoms in the 1970s, has died, Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. She was 80.

Mark J. Terrill Associated Press
In this Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013, photo, Valerie Harper attends the “Lung Cancer: Bring On The Change!” Event in Los Angeles. Valerie Harper, who scored guffaws and stole hearts as Rhoda Morgenstern on back-to-back hit sitcoms in the 1970s, has died, Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. She was 80.

Todd Williamson Invision
In this Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, photo, Inductee Cloris Leachman, right, and Valerie Harper pose together at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences 20th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Gala in Beverly Hills, Calif. Valerie Harper, who scored guffaws and stole hearts as Rhoda Morgenstern on back-to-back hit sitcoms in the 1970s, has died, Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. She was 80.

Matt Sayles Associated Press
In this Jan. 1987, photo, actress Valerie Harper laughs during an interview in New York. Valerie Harper, who scored guffaws and stole hearts as Rhoda Morgenstern on back-to-back hit sitcoms in the 1970s, has died, Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. She was 80.

Ron Frehm Associated Press