Valerie Mahaffey, who appeared as Ms. MacElroy inYoung Sheldon, has passed away at the age of 72. Many of Mahaffey’s roles throughout her career made her the star she was, but her role inThe Big Bang Theoryspinoff was one of her more recent, well-known roles. However, Mahaffey’s career goes far beyond her recurring role in the ABC series and will be remembered for her almost five decades of work.
According toABC News, Mahaffey’s passing was confirmed via her publicist, Jillian Roscoe, on May 31, confirming the actress died last Friday.Mahaffey is survived by her husband, actor Joseph Kell, as well as their daughter, Alice Richards. Kell shared a statement withABC Newsfollowing Mahaffey’s death, short but showed how much his wife meant to him and those who watched her career flourish.
I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its most endearing actresses. She will be missed.
Valerie Mahaffey Passed Away From Cancer
She Was 71
In theABC Newsstatement, it was confirmed thatMahaffey had passed away after battling cancer. It was never revealed what type of cancer Mahaffey had and how long she had been dealing with the illness. Mahaffey, or anyone from her team, confirm she was diagnosed with cancer before her passing, which made the news all the more sad and shocking.
Valerie’s On-Screen Career Leaves A Lasting Impression
She’s An Emmy Award Winner
Throughout her almost five decades of working in Hollywood, Mahaffey has left a lasting impression on viewers who had the pleasure of seeing her work. Besidesher role as Ms. MacElroy onYoung Sheldon, Mahaffey has appeared in various other well-known TV shows. She had a major recurring role in the CBS drama seriesNorthern Exposureas Eve, a hypochondriac, evenwinning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Seriesfor her role. Her role as Eve is her most celebrated, but Mahaffey has played so many memorable characters throughout her career, no matter how big or small.
In one of her first major roles, Mahaffey played Ashley Bennett in the soap operaThe Doctorsfrom 1979–1981 and was even nominated for a Daytime Emmy. Mahaffey also played a main role in thethree-season crime dramaBig Skyas Helen Pergman. In addition to her major TV roles, she had several small but memorable parts in other shows, such asSeinfeld,The Mindy Project,Desperate Housewives,Wings, and several other iconic series. TheYoung Sheldonstar was a legendary actress with a plethora of remarkable roles, and what she brought to the screen will be missed.
