Valerie Harper — PICS

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March 8, 2013 1:47PM EST

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Valerie Harper — Her Life Through Pictures

Valerie Harper — Her Life Through Pictures — Valerie Harper won America’s hearts playing the beloved Rhoda on the highly acclaimed sitcom ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ which aired between 1970-1977. Mary played the best friend to a transplant in Minneapolis who landed a job at a news station, and the show followed their career and social escapades. Given the decade the sitcom aired in, it was new to see a show focus on career-driven women — a refreshing change for many viewers! The CBS show paved the way to Valerie’s own spin-off series, ‘Rhoda.’

Born on Aug. 22, 1939, Valerie entered the entertainment scene by dancing on Broadway and performed in productions like ‘Wildcat’ (alongside Lucille Ball!) and ‘Subways Are For Sleeping.’ Thanks to her time touring with Second City improv theater, Valerie was spotted by a casting agent which led to her big break on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ in 1970.

After her successful run on the sitcom — she won four Emmys and a Golden Globe — she starred on the television series ‘Valerie’ and ‘City.’ She also served as a voice actress for numerous characters on ‘The Simpsons’ between 2013 and 2018.

Valerie was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009, and then brain cancer in 2013, but bravely fought on until passing away on Aug. 30, 2019. She was 80 years old. She was survived by her husband, Tony Cacciotti, and their daughter Cristina Harper.

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Valerie Harper Holds Her Emmy

Valerie Harper Holds Her Emmy — Valerie Harper and her co-star on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ Ed Asner, proudly holds their Emmys. Valerie had won best supporting actress in a comedy, and Ed won the male equivalent of the award. Overall, Valerie has won four Emmys in her lifetime!

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Valerie Harper On ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’

Valerie Harper On ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ — Valerie Harper is seen here as Rhoda on ‘The Mary Tyler Show’ alongsie her co-stars Mary Tyler Moore and Cloris Leachman, who plays Phyllis Lindstrom.

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Valerie Harper On ‘The Muppet Show’

Valerie Harper On ‘The Muppet Show’ — Valerie Harper makes a guest appearance on ‘The Muppet Show’ with Kermit The Frog in 1976.

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Valerie Harper

Valerie Harper — Valerie Harper poses for a black-and-white portrait at the kitchen table. Aside from her fame to claim (‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’), the beautiful actress and dancer made guest appearances in popular TV shows like ‘Melrose Place,’ ‘That ’70s Show’ and ‘Sex and the City.’

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Valerie Harper With Jane Fonda In 1982

Valerie Harper With Jane Fonda In 1982 — Valerie Harper and ‘Grace and Frankie’ star Jane Fonda advocate for equal rights together in 1982.

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Valerie Harper and Her Husband At A Wedding

Valerie Harper and Her Husband At A Wedding — Valerie Harper attends the Davidson Wedding with actor Tony Cacciotti in Los Angeles on Dec. 10, 1983. They went on to marry themselves in 1987, and stayed together until Valerie passed away in 2019.

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Valerie Harper Speaks In An Interview

Valerie Harper Speaks In An Interview — Valerie Harper flashes her iconic smile amid an interview conducted in New York in January of 1987.

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Valerie Harper Attends The Manhattan Theatre Club Gala

Valerie Harper Attends The Manhattan Theatre Club Gala — Valerie Harper takes a cue from the fashion-loving Rhoda and graces the Manhattan Theatre Club Gala in a colorful dress at the New York Hilton on May 13, 2002.

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Valerie Harper Reunites With ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’

Valerie Harper Reunites With ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ — An on-stage reunion! Valerie Harper takes the stage at the 2007 Screen Actors Guild Awards to hand out the award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series with her castmates from ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show.’

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Valerie Harper Hits The Runway

Valerie Harper Hits The Runway — Valerie Harper commands the runway in a spicy red number at The Heart Truth/Red Dress’ fall 2010 show at Bryant Park’s Tent in New York.

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Valerie Harper At The 2010 Tony Awards

Valerie Harper At The 2010 Tony Awards — Valerie Harper looks lovely in a royal blue gown as she steps out on the red carpet for the 64th Annual Tony Awards in New York on June 13, 2010.

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Valerie Harper With Her Daughter

Valerie Harper With Her Daughter — A charitable mother-daughter duo! Valerie Harper gets in the spirit with her daughter, Cristina Harper, at the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles on Dec. 1, 2013. The event benefited Marine Toys for Tots.

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Valerie Harper Testifies In Capitol Hill

Valerie Harper Testifies In Capitol Hill — Valerie Harper testifies before a Senate Special Committee on Aging in Washington’s Capitol Hill. Valerie, who had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009 and then a rare brain cancer in 2013, was examining the fight against cancer.

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Valerie Harper Attends The Tower Of Hope Gala

Valerie Harper Attends The Tower Of Hope Gala — Valerie Harper poses with ‘Ozark’ actress Laure Linney at the Tower Cancer Research Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Tower of Hope Gala. The gala was held in Beverly Hills, CA on May 19, 2016. Valerie had two cancer diagnoses — one in 2009 for lung cancer, and the second in 2013 for a form of brain cancer.

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Valerie Harper at ELLE Women in Comedy

Valerie Harper at ELLE Women in Comedy — Valerie Harper was known for her lively spirit, as you can see here at the ELLE Women in Comedy Event at Hyde Sunset in Los Angeles on June 7, 2016.

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Valerie Harper Smiles Wide

Valerie Harper Smiles Wide — Valerie Harper was all smiles while attending this ‘Lung Cancer: Bring On The Change!’ event.

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Valerie Harper At AARP Movies For Grownups

Valerie Harper At AARP Movies For Grownups — Valerie Harper rocks turquoise jewel tones for her visit to the AARP Movies for Grownups Film Showcase in November 2014.

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Valerie Harper At Tower Of Hope Gala in May 2016

Valerie Harper At Tower Of Hope Gala in May 2016 — Valerie Harper sparkles — literally — while attending the
Tower Cancer Research Foundation’s Tower of Hope Gala in May 2016.

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Valerie Harper Royal in Purple

Valerie Harper Royal in Purple — Valerie Harper looks regal in purple during the after party for her play ‘Looped’ in NYC, in March 2010.

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