Valerie Harper

Valerie Harper was an American actress best known for playing Rhoda Morgenstern on *The Mary Tyler Moore Show* and its spin-off *Rhoda*.

Valerie Harper was an American actress best known for portraying Rhoda Morgenstern on *The Mary Tyler Moore Show* and its spin-off *Rhoda*. Born in Suffern, New York, and died in Los Angeles in 2019 at age 80, her career also included stage work, film roles, and voice acting.

Early life and career

Valerie Harper was born on August 22, 1939, in Suffern, New York. She began her career as a dancer and chorus performer before moving into stage and screen acting. Her early credits included Broadway work in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Breakthrough television roles

Harper became a major television star through her role as Rhoda Morgenstern on *The Mary Tyler Moore Show* and the later spin-off *Rhoda*. These performances established her as one of American television's best-known sitcom actors.

Later work and awards

Her later career included film roles, Broadway appearances, guest television appearances, and voice acting. She earned significant recognition, including four Primetime Emmy Awards and one Golden Globe Award. She also received a Tony Award nomination for her stage work.

Death and legacy

Harper died on August 30, 2019, in Los Angeles, California, after a period of illness. She is remembered for her influence on television comedy and for creating one of the medium's most recognizable sitcom characters.