Valerie Harper, Star Of The Mary Tyler Moore Show And Rhoda, Dies Aged 80

The actor’s husband, Tony Cacciotti, said he had declined doctors’ recommendations to place Valerie in hospice care, in a Facebook post last month.

“We will continue going forward as long as the powers above allow us, I will do my very best in making Val as comfortable as possible,” he wrote. “For those of you who have been in this position, you will totally understand that ‘it’s hard letting go.’ So as long as I’m able and capable, I’ll be where I belong right beside her.”

Born in Suffern, New York, in August 1939, Valerie got her start in show business dancing in the chorus on Broadway. After nabbing several small parts in the late ’50s and ’60s, Harper landed the iconic role of Mary Tyler Moore’s funny, earthy best friend in 1970.

She left the original series in 1974, but continued to play Rhoda ― a role that earned her four Emmys and one Golden Globe award ― on the spinoff series until 1978.