Valerie ‘Rhoda’ Harper, R.I.P.

Valerie Harper, best known for her portrayal of .the struggling single girl Rhoda Morgenstern, has died.

Ms. Harper has struggled with cancer for years, and defied expectations by surviving as long as she did. She died Friday morning, as reported. Specific cause of death was not disclosed.

Born in Rockland County New York, Ms. Harper's career got off the ground in the 1960s as a Broadway dancer and inprov artist. She made her mark in television as Rhode, friend of the title character in the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

The spinoff Rhoda ran from 1970 - 1974. In the 1980s she starred in the less memorable sitcom Valerie's Family.

In addition to a long list of TV-movie credits, she made a handful of movies of note, including the detective comedy Freebie and the Bean.

In the 2000s she briefly returned to stage, earning a Tony nomination for her portrayal of Tallulah Bankhead in the play Looped.

Valerie Harper died on the morning of August 30, 2019, in Los Angeles, eight days after her 80th birthday.

[Source: MSN]