Desperate Housewives and Young Sheldon star Valerie Mahaffey has died at the age of 71. 

The actress had been diagnosed with cancer and died in Los Angeles on Friday, her publicist Jillian Roscoe confirmed. 

The award-winning star, whose career spanned more than four decades, is survived by husband Joseph Kell and their daughter Alice. 

In a conversation with Variety, Valerie’s husband, Joseph, expressed: ‘I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most cherished actresses. Her absence will be felt deeply.’

Her daughter, Alice Richards, shared on Instagram: ‘I can’t find the right words right now. Cancer is horrible. I’ll search for you in all the joyful moments of life.’

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Desperate Housewives and Young Sheldon star Valerie Mahaffey has died at the age of 71

The actress had been diagnosed with cancer and died in Los Angeles on Friday, her publicist Jillian Roscoe confirmed

Valerie’s most notable TV roles included portraying Eve in Northern Exposure and Alma Hodge in Desperate Housewives (pictured)

‘I know that’s where you’ll be, I know we’ll see each other again someday. I love you infinity much.’

Tributes flooded in across social media from emotional fans mourning the death of Valerie. 

Comments on social media platform X included: ‘RIP Valerie Mahaffey. Thanks for all the laughs’;

‘RIP to a wonderful character actress. No matter the episode count or number of lines she would have, Valerie Mahaffey made an impression. Loved her as Frasier’s secretary & on Big Sky’;

‘Oh man, Valerie Mahaffey was always one of the most underrated and fantastic character actresses around. She was in EVERYTHING! And no one did soft spoken, passive aggressive viciousness better! So Sad to hear she’s passed and only 71. RIP’;

‘Very sad to hear about the passing of Valerie Mahaffey, a brilliant comedian and a gem of a human being.’

Valerie’s most notable TV roles included portraying Eve in Northern Exposure, Alma Hodge in Desperate Housewives, and a frustrated teacher in Young Sheldon.

She also starred alongside the likes of Michelle Pfeiffer and Imogen Poots in 2021’s French Exit and Tom Hanks in his 2016 biographical film Sully: Miracle on the Hudson, based on Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger.

Her most recent role was in movie The 8th Day (pictured), which came out in March of this year and also starred Phoebe Tonkin

She starred alongside the likes of Danielle Macdonald and Imogen Poots in 2021’s French Exit (all pictured)

She portrayed Lorna Harding in the popular show Dead To Me, which sees Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini take on the leading roles

Her most recent role was in movie The 8th Day, which came out in March of this year and also starred Phoebe Tonkin.

She also recently starred in TV series Echo 3 in 2022 as well as portraying Lorna Harding in the popular show Dead To Me, which sees Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini take on the leading roles.

But it was on Broadway where Valerie first launched her acting career in the 1970s, before making her big on screen break in NBC soap The Doctors in 1979.

She immediately made her mark on the film industry as she was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series just one year later.

Valerie, who was born in Indonesia to a Canadian mother and a Texan father, also nabbed roles in a whole host of popular TV series and movies.

The acclaimed star appeared in 14 episodes of Young Sheldon – the spin-off to the Big Bang Theory – from 2017 until 2020 as teacher Victoria MacElroy. 

She also made guest appearances on Law & Order SVU, CSI, and Frasier over the years as she was prolific on screen.

Valerie was finally recognised during awards season for her impressive career in 1992, when she took home the Emmy for her role as Eve in Northern Exposure.

Her daughter Alice has also followed in her showbiz footsteps and has starred as an actress in 2018 horror The Witch Files and 2010’s Summer Eleven.