Celebrity

Valerie Mahaffey, Emmy-winning Northern Exposure star, dies at 71

Jun 02, 2025

Tributes poured in on social media following news of her passing, honouring her talent and legacy. Source: AP PHOTO.

Valerie Mahaffey, the Emmy-winning actress whose work spanned stage, film, and television—from Shakespearean theatre to beloved TV classics like Northern Exposure—has died at the age of 71 following a battle with cancer.

Mahaffey passed away on Friday, May 30, in Los Angeles, her publicist Jillian Roscoe confirmed.

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

Mahaffey’s career began more than four decades ago with a role on the soap opera The Doctors and continued with appearances in a wide range of television series, including Young Sheldon, Desperate Housewives, The Powers That Be, Big Sky, Seinfeld, Wings, and ER.

She earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her unforgettable role as the quirky hypochondriac Eve in Northern Exposure, a role that endeared her to audiences nationwide.

On the big screen, she appeared alongside Tom Hanks in Sully, directed by Clint Eastwood, and starred opposite Michelle Pfeiffer as Madame Reynard in French Exit. Her other film credits include Seabiscuit, Jungle 2 Jungle, and Senior Trip.

Tributes poured in on social media following news of her passing, honouring her talent and legacy.

Very sad to hear about the passing of Valerie Mahaffey, a brilliant comedian and a gem of a human being. pic.twitter.com/KDzo3LJuon

— Jamie DuMont (@jamiedumont) May 31, 2025

RIP to the dear, sweet, funny #valeriemahaffey she was a breath of fresh air, joy and laughs as “Eve” on #northernexposure we all adored her pic.twitter.com/QDJPeIvqKY

— Rob Morrow (@RobMorrow_) May 31, 2025