CNN reports that actress Valerie Mahaffey (Jack and Jill, Seabiscuit), known for her roles in television and film, including Northern Exposure and Jungle 2 Jungle, passed away on Friday in Los Angeles. The star was 71 and diagnosed with cancer.
Mahaffey’s daughter, Alice Richards, took to her Instagram account to express her grievances. In a heartfelt post, Richards pens, “don’t really have the words to say right now. cancer sucks. I’ll look for you in all the fun moments of life. I know that’s where you’ll be. I know we’ll see each other again someday. I love you infinity much.” Comments poured in from users who thought highly of her mother. One user commented, “I’ll bet as lovely an actor as your mother was, I’ll bet she was a lovelier mother. I’m so sorry for your loss.” Another user said, “…worked with your mom on Dead To Me. She was always so lovely. On set, and when we would see each other walking in the neighborhood. The world has lost a sweet, sweet soul.”
According to CNN, her husband, actor Joseph Kell (Relativity, The Invisible Man), made a public statement in which he said, “I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most endearing actresses. She will be missed.” Richards is the daughter of the couple.
Mahaffey was most notably recognized for her performance in Northern Exposure, a 90s medical drama about a New York doctor who had his education paid for by the Alaskan government in exchange for practicing medicine for four years in Alaska. Mahaffey played his hypochondriac wife. According to People, although she only appeared in 5 of the 110 episodes the series produced, this was enough to garner her an Outstanding Supporting Actress Emmy. Mahaffey was the only actor from the show to win a Primetime Emmy award.