Valerie Mahaffey, the Emmy-winning actress celebrated for her scene-stealing performances in Desperate Housewives, Young Sheldon, and Northern Exposure, has passed away at the age of 71.

Her passing, confirmed by her publicist Jillian Roscoe, occurred in Los Angeles on yesterday, May 30, 2025, following a private battle with cancer.

Mahaffey leaves behind a legacy of more than four decades entertaining audiences, defined by comedic sharpness, dramatic range, and a quiet but commanding presence on both stage and screen.

She is survived by her husband, actor-director Joseph Kell, and their daughter, actress Alice Richards.

“I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most endearing actresses,”Kell said in a statement. “She will be missed.”

Actress Valerie Mahaffrey,

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