'Young Sheldon' star Valerie Mahaffey's cause of death revealed
'Young Sheldon' actress Valerie Mahaffey first shot to fame with her role in 'Northern Exposure'
May 31, 2025
Desperate Housewives star Valerie Mahaffey has died at the age of 71.
Valerie died of cancer on Friday (May 30) in Los Angeles, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
The actress had an impressive career spanning five decades and collected many accolades. She made a name for herself by portraying Eve in the CBS show Northern Exposure from 1991-1994. In 1992, she won an Emmy Award for playing Eve.
She also played Alma Hodge on ABC’s Desperate Housewives from 2006-07, and may be known to younger audiences for her recurring role as teacher Victoria MacElroy on CBS’ Young Sheldon from 2017-2020.
In 2020, she also played the character of Madame Reynard in the film French Exit. Her other film credits include Jungle 2 Jungle, My First Wedding, No Pay, Nudity, and 2025’s The 8th Day.
Alongside Young Sheldon, she starred in Netflix’s Dead to Me as Lorna Harding from 2019-22. The show also starred Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini.
The actress, who had an active career, made appearances in numerous other shows, which included The Powers That Be, Seinfeld, Wings, ER, Man in the High Castle, The Mindy Project, Devious Maids, Glee, Grey’s Anatomy, Hannah Montana, and more.
Valerie’s most recent outing on the screen was in the Apple TV+ action-thriller series Echo 3 in 2022. She played Maggie Chesborough in the show.
