Mary Tyler Moore Show star Valerie Harper, who played Rhoda Morgenstern in the hit series, has died aged 80 after battling brain cancer for the last six years.
Harper was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009. She was then diagnosed with brain cancer in 2013 with doctors telling her she had less than three months to live.
She went on to compete in the US version of Dancing with the Stars the following year.
The groundbreaking Mary Tyler Moore Show was the first female-dominated sitcom on US television in the 1970s, moving women away from being depicted in the domestic sphere. The show's other notable screen firsts included explicitly calling a male character gay and mentioning the Pill.
Harper played Rhoda Morgenstern, Mary Tyler Moore's best friend. She left the programme in 1974 and starred in a spin-off show, Rhoda, for four years. Harper's performance earned her a Golden Globe and four Emmys.
Harper's family announced her passing on social media:
My dad has asked me to pass on this message: "My beautiful caring wife of nearly 40 years has passed away at 10:06am, after years of fighting cancer.
— Cris (@cristicacci) August 30, 2019
She will never, ever be forgotten. Rest In Peace, mia Valeria. -Anthony."
Tributes have been paid to the popular actress:
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must say goodbye to a very special person in my life... Valerie Harper. The deep sadness I feel is = to the love and respect I have for this incredible soul. There are few more authentic, loving and generous than @ValerieHarper pic.twitter.com/cLwWHgXhum
— Susie Singer Carter (@GoGrlMediaSusie) August 31, 2019
A beautiful woman, a wonderful actress, a great friend and with balls bigger than mine. Her brilliance burst through and shined its light upon all of us. Goodnight beautiful. I'll see you soon. pic.twitter.com/FicADkSAzS
— Ed Asner (@TheOnlyEdAsner) August 30, 2019
My sympathies, Ed. Valerie was endearing, funny, real. She's linked to a time we gathered around the set as a family.
— Patch Zircher (@PatrickZircher) August 31, 2019
Bless her.
Mary Tyler Moore died in 2017 at the age of 80 from heart failure.
