Written By Jason LockardAt the time I'm writing this tribute the world just lost Valerie Harper (August 30th, 2019) after a long and brave battle with cancer. Cancer is a horrible thing. It is taking so many people. We must find a cure for this terrible curse on mankind.
For most people, Valerie Harper will always be Rhoda Morgenstern, from The Mary Tyler Moore Show and the spin-off series Rhoda! But some may not know that she was an accomplished stage preformer. Valerie started her career as a dancer on Broadway. She played Yokumberry Tonic's wife in the film version of Li'l Abner (1959). After years of traveling on the theater stage, in 1968 she moved to L.A. and co-wrote an episode of Love, American Style.
While doing theater in L.A. she was spotted and asked to audition for Rhoda. Than was offered the role to join the cast of Mary Tyler Moore show and the rest, as they say, is history! She would spend the next eight years playing a role that most remember her for Rhoda Morgenstern.
Now my first memories of Valerie are a bit mixed! I am not sure if I first saw her as Rhoda or if it was on her show Valerie which would morph into The Hogan Family, a very bad decision by producers in my opinion. But one thing is for sure I remember Valerie.
In 2009, Harper was diagnosed with lung cancer. But in 2010, she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance as Tallulah Bankhead in the play Looped.
Valarie fought hard for 10 years with this disease But July 2019, Valarie in extreme physical pain and required "around the clock, 24/7 care. Sadly on the morning of August 30, 2019, in Los Angeles, 8 days after her 80th birthday Valarie Harper passed away.
While this is a sad time, we want to remember the great work she left behind and her bravery in going head to head with this dreaded disease. Valerie Harper, we at Classic Cinema Magazine appreciate the laughter you brought us and millions of others for many years! We will never forget you.
R.I.P. Valerie Harper 8/22/1939 - 8/30/2019
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