Valerie Mahaffey

Valerie Mahaffey, a character actor known for her quirky, sinister television villains on shows like "Desperate Housewives" and "Seinfeld," plus an Emmy-winning turn on "Northern Exposure," died May 30, 2025, of cancer in Los Angeles at the age of 71.?

Mahaffey's work as an actress began on stage, working on Broadway on the musical "Rex" in the 1970s before leaping to the screen in 1979 to join the cast of the soap "The Doctors." In just three seasons she appeared on over 100 episodes of the show, and she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her work. What followed was a decades-long career in which Mahaffey built a career on slightly edgy, sometimes quirky, and often sinister characters. Her best-known work included playing opposite Jason Alexander in "Seinfeld," portraying George's accountant girlfriend; an Emmy-winning performance as hypochondriac Eve on "Northern Exposure;" and nine episodes as Alma Hodge in "Desperate Housewives." Other appearances include a recurring role as Victoria MacElroy on "Young Sheldon," as well as parts on "Cheers," "Dead to Me," "Glee," "ER," "Wings," and many others. In 2021, she was also nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female in the film "French Exit."

Actor Rob Morrow called her "sweet" and "funny" on the social media platform X, saying, "She was a breath of fresh air, joy and laughs as Eve on 'Northern Exposure.' We all adored her," while writer and critic Joanna Langfield said, "Valerie Mahaffey was one of those actors who I was always delighted to see pop up on screen. Especially when I, at first, didn't recognize it was her. She was that creative, that good."

By Eric San Juan

(Image: Amanda Edwards/WireImage)