Valerie Mahaffey was an American actress who won an Emmy Award for Northern Exposure and also appeared on Desperate Housewives and Wings.

Valerie Mahaffey Biography
Real Name | Valerie Mahaffey |
Nickname | Valerie Mahaffey |
Profession | Actress |
Date of Birth | 16 June 1953 |
Age | 71 years old (at the time of death in 2025) |
Birth Place | Sumatra, Indonesia |
Nationality | American |
Hometown | Sumatra, Indonesia |
Gender | Female |
Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
Ethnicity | Mixed |
Religion | Christian Scientist |
Hobbies | Not known |
Education Qualification
School | Austin High School |
College | University of Texas at Austin |
Education Qualification | Bachelor of Fine Arts |
Valerie Mahaffey Age
Actress Valerie Mahaffey was born on 16 June 1953 in Sumatra, Indonesia. She was 71 years old at the time of her death, and her zodiac sign was Gemini.

Valerie Mahaffey Relationships
Marital Status | Married |
Affairs/Boyfriend | Joseph Kell |
Spouse/Husband | Joseph Kell |
Children | Daughter – One daughter Son – None |
Valerie Mahaffey Family
Father’s Name | Lewis Mahaffey |
Mother’s Name | Jean Mahaffey |
Brother’s Name | None |
Sister’s Name | None |
Career
Debut | She made her acting debut in 1997 with TV film “Tell Me My Name” |
Awards | 1 – Primetime Emmy Award |
Valerie Mahaffey Movies-
- 1977 – Tell Me My Name
- 1979-81 – The Doctor
- 1984 – Tales of the Unexpected
- 1986 – Women of Valor
- 1987 – Jack and Mike
- 1990 – Father Dowling Mysteries
- 1991 – The Young Riders
- 1991 – Seinfeld
- 1991-1994 – Northern Exposure
- 1995 – Women of the House
- 1996 – Caroline in the City
- 2000 – Love & Money
- 2001 – Judging Amy
- 2005 – Out of Practice
- 2007 – Raines
- 2010 – Better with You
- 2011 – Jack and Jill
- 2011 – 13 – Glee
- 2015 – Impastor
- 2017 – The Man in the High Castle
- 2019-20 – Dead to me
- 2020 – French Exit
- 2022 – Echo 3, and others
Valerie Mahaffey Height And Weight
Height (approx) | In centimeters – 166 cm In meters – 1.66 m In feet & inches – 5’5” |
Weight (approx) | In kilograms – 54 kg In pounds – 120 lbs |
Eye Colour | Blue |
Hair Colour | Red |
Valerie Mahaffey Death, Cause of Death
Date of Death | 30 May 2021 |
Place of Death | Not known |
Cause of Death | Cancer |
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Valerie Mahaffey Net Worth
Net Worth (approx) | $2 Million (as of 2025) |
Annual Income (approx) | Not known |
Salary (approx) | Not known |
Income Source | Acting, endorsement, modeling, etc. |

Some Lesser Facts About Valerie Mahaffey –
- Valerie Mahaffey was born and raised in Sumatra, Indonesia to a Canadian mother and American father.
- Her parents Jane and Lewis met in New Brunswick, Canada.
- Her father worked in the petroleum industry and the family move frequently for his career.
- When Valerie was 16, her family relocated to Austin, Texas, where she graduated from Austin High School.
- She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from University of Texas at Austin in 1975.
- After receiving bachelor degree she made her Broadway debut in the musical Rex.
- She was a regular cast member in the soap opera The Doctors from 1979 to 1981.
- Mahaffey won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting actress in a Drama series Northern Exposure.
- She played Alma Hodge in season 3 of ABC comedy-drama series Desperate Housewives from 2006 to 2007.
- She was listed as a contender for a nomination in the 2021 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress category.
- She was married to actor and director Joseph Kell, with whom she had a daughter.
- Actress Valerie Mahaffey died of cancer on May 30, 2025, at the age of 71.
FAQ:
Who is Valerie Mahaffey married to?
Actress Valerie Mahaffey was married to actor Joseph Kell.
Who is Adam’s wife in Northern Exposure?
Actress Valerie Mahaffey portrayed the wife of Adam’s in Northern Exposure.
What happened to Valerie Mahaffey?
Actress Valerie Mahaffey died on 30 May 2025 from cancer.
What is Valerie Mahaffey’s net worth?
As of 2025, Valerie Mahaffey’s estimated net worth is $2 Million.
Who is Valerie Mahaffey’s daughter?
Valerie Mahaffey had a daughter with her husband Joseph Kell.
How old was Valerie Mahaffey?
71 years (in 2025, at the time of death)
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