Years active 1976–present Name Valerie Mahaffey | Role Character actress Spouse Joseph Kell | |
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Movies and TV shows Similar People Joseph Kell, Sarah Butterworth, Adam Arkin, Lawrence Dane, Kelly Makin | ||
Valerie Mahaffey at Devious Maids Red Carpet Premiere
Valerie Mahaffey (born June 16, 1953) is an American character actress and producer. She won an Emmy Award for her work on Northern Exposure. She later won fame through her portrayal of extroverted and friendly but ultimately insane women on the television shows Wings, Desperate Housewives and Devious Maids.
Contents
Early life
Mahaffey was born in Sumatra, Indonesia to a Canadian mother and a Texan father who met in New Brunswick, Canada. When Mahaffey was 16, the family moved to Austin, Texas, where she graduated from Austin High School. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Texas at Austin in 1975 and later made her Broadway debut in musical Rex.
Career
Mahaffey was regular cast member in the soap opera The Doctors from 1979 to 1981, which earned her a nomination for Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1980. She starred in the film Women of Valor in 1986 and while the characters are fictitious, it portrayed women's roles in the Philippines during World War II.
As of late 1980's, Mahaffey began acting in television comedies, like Newhart, Cheers, and Seinfeld. From 1992–93, she starred in the short-lived NBC sitcom The Powers That Be. She played Tracy Milford in the 1995 film National Lampoon's Senior Trip and Jan Kempster in the 1997 film Jungle 2 Jungle. In 1999, she had a recurring role on ER. In 2003, she starred in the film Seabiscuit. In 2009, she appeared in seven episodes United States of Tara. Her stage credits include Eastern Standard, Talking Heads, Top Girls, and Rex.
Mahaffey won Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance as the chronic hypochondriac Eve in the CBS series Northern Exposure in 1992. Mahaffey was the only actor from the series to win an Emmy Award.
Mahaffey played Alma Hodge in season 3 of ABC comedy-drama series Desperate Housewives from 2006 to 2007. Mahaffey has made guest appearances on Quantum Leap, L.A. Law, Ally McBeal, Judging Amy, The West Wing, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Frasier, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Private Practice, Boston Legal, Without a Trace, and Raising Hope. She also appeared on Glee as the mother of Emma Pillsbury from 2011 to 2013. Mahaffey co-starred as Fran Horowitz in short-lived TNT medical drama Monday Mornings in 2013. Also in 2013, she had a recurring role on Lifetime Television comedy-drama series Devious Maids as Olivia Rice.
Filmography
Actress
-
And on the Eighth Day (filming)
-
GRQ the Movie (post-production) as
Aunt Emily
2022
Echo 3 (TV Series) as
Maggie Chesborough
- Family Matters (2022) - Maggie Chesborough
- Red Is Positive, Black Is Negative (2022) - Maggie Chesborough
- Flyaway (2022) - Maggie Chesborough
2019
Dead to Me (TV Series) as
Lorna Harding
- We've Reached the End (2022) - Lorna Harding
- Where Do We Go Now? (2022) - Lorna Harding
- We Need to Talk (2022) - Lorna Harding
- Where Do We Go From Here (2020) - Lorna Harding
- The Price You Pay (2020) - Lorna Harding
- Where Have You Been (2020) - Lorna Harding
- You Have to Go (2019) - Lorna Harding
- I Have to Be Honest (2019) - Lorna Harding
- It's All My Fault (2019) - Lorna Harding
2020
Big Sky (TV Series) as
Helen Pergman
- Let It Be Him (2021) - Helen Pergman
- The End Is Near (2021) - Helen Pergman
- I Fall to Pieces (2021) - Helen Pergman
- The Wolves Are Always Out for Blood (2021) - Helen Pergman
- A Good Day to Die (2020) - Helen Pergman
- Unfinished Business (2020) - Helen Pergman
- The Big Rick (2020) - Helen Pergman
- Nowhere to Run (2020) - Helen Pergman
- Pilot (2020) - Helen Pergman
2020
French Exit as
Mme Reynard
2017
Young Sheldon (TV Series) as
Ms. MacElroy
- A Secret Letter and a Lowly Disc of Processed Meat (2020) - Ms. MacElroy
- A House for Sale and Serious Woman Stuff (2020) - Ms. MacElroy
- Teenager Soup and A Little Ball of Fib (2019) - Ms. MacElroy
- The Sin of Greed and a Chimichanga from Chi-Chi's (2019) - Ms. MacElroy
- Hobbitses, Physicses and a Ball With Zip (2019) - Ms. MacElroy
- A Broom Closet and Satan's Monopoly Board (2019) - Ms. MacElroy
- A Political Campaign and a Candy Land Cheater (2019) - Ms. MacElroy
- A Tummy Ache and a Whale of a Metaphor (2019) - Ms. MacElroy
- A High-Pitched Buzz and Training Wheels (2018) - Ms. MacElroy
- A Sneeze, Detention, and Sissy Spacek (2018) - Ms. MacElroy
- An Eagle Feather, a String Bean, and an Eskimo (2018) - Ms. MacElroy
- A Therapist, a Comic Book, and a Breakfast Sausage (2017) - Ms. MacElroy
- Rockets, Communists, and the Dewey Decimal System (2017) - Ms. MacElroy
- Pilot (2017) - Ms. MacElroy
2018
The Witch Files as
Claire's Mom
2016
The Man in the High Castle (TV Series) as
Susan
- Detonation (2016) - Susan
- Loose Lips (2016) - Susan
- Fallout (2016) - Susan
2016
No Pay, Nudity as
Lisa
2016
Sully as
Diane Higgins
2016
The Mindy Project (TV Series) as
Juliet
- So You Think You Can Finance (2016) - Juliet
2015
Impastor (TV Series) as
Susie Kerry
- Honor Thy Boyfriend's Father and Mother (2015) - Susie Kerry
2013
Devious Maids (TV Series) as
Olivia Rice
- Terms of Endearment (2015) - Olivia Rice
- Whiplash (2015) - Olivia Rice
- Hanging the Drapes (2013) - Olivia Rice
- Minding the Baby (2013) - Olivia Rice
- Taking a Message (2013) - Olivia Rice
- Wiping Away the Past (2013) - Olivia Rice
- Pilot (2013) - Olivia Rice
2015
Workaholics (TV Series) as
Celeste
- Blood Drive (2015) - Celeste
2014
Hart of Dixie (TV Series) as
Mae Ellen Waterloo
- Kablang (2014) - Mae Ellen Waterloo
- Stuck (2014) - Mae Ellen Waterloo
- A Better Man (2014) - Mae Ellen Waterloo
2014
Franklin & Bash (TV Series) as
Julie
- Deep Throat (2014) - Julie
2014
Kirstie (TV Series) as
Victoria
- The Dinner Party (2014) - Victoria
2013
Grey's Anatomy (TV Series) as
Donna Kaufman
- Somebody That I Used to Know (2013) - Donna Kaufman
2013
Monday Mornings (TV Series) as
Fran Horowitz
- Wheels Within Wheels (2013) - Fran Horowitz
- Truth or Consequences (2013) - Fran Horowitz
- One Fine Day (2013) - Fran Horowitz
- Communion (2013) - Fran Horowitz
- Forks Over Knives (2013) - Fran Horowitz
- Who's Sorry Now? (2013) - Fran Horowitz
2011
Glee (TV Series) as
Rose Pillsbury
- Girls (and Boys) on Film (2013) - Rose Pillsbury
- Yes/No (2012) - Rose Pillsbury
- Asian F (2011) - Rose Pillsbury
2012
The Exes (TV Series) as
Anne
- He's Gotta Have It (2012) - Anne
2006
Desperate Housewives (TV Series) as
Alma Hodge
- Finishing the Hat (2012) - Alma Hodge (uncredited)
- The Little Things You Do Together (2007) - Alma Hodge
- I Remember That (2007) - Alma Hodge
- Come Play Wiz Me (2007) - Alma Hodge
- Not While I'm Around (2007) - Alma Hodge
- No Fits, No Fights, No Feuds (2007) - Alma Hodge
- The Miracle Song (2006) - Alma Hodge
- Sweetheart, I Have to Confess (2006) - Alma Hodge (uncredited)
- Listen to the Rain on the Roof (2006) - Alma Hodge
2012
Crazy Eyes as
Zach's Mother
2012
Less Than Kind (TV Series) as
Anne's Mom
- Fugue State (2012) - Anne's Mom
2012
If I Were You as
Lydia
2011
Jack and Jill as
Bitsy Simmons
2010
Summer Eleven as
Linda
2010
Raising Hope (TV Series) as
Margine
- Meet the Grandparents (2010) - Margine
2010
Hannah Montana (TV Series) as
Ms. Jameson
- I'll Always Remember You (2010) - Ms. Jameson
2010
Better with You (TV Series) as
Ariel
- Better with Road Joel (2010) - Ariel
2009
United States of Tara (TV Series) as
Dr. Ocean
- Betrayal (2009) - Dr. Ocean
- Possibility (2009) - Dr. Ocean
- Abundance (2009) - Dr. Ocean
- Alterations (2009) - Dr. Ocean
- Revolution (2009) - Dr. Ocean
- Inspiration (2009) - Dr. Ocean
- Work (2009) - Dr. Ocean
2008
A Previous Engagement as
Grace
2008
Boston Legal (TV Series) as
Mary Winston
- Mad About You (2008) - Mary Winston
2007
Private Practice (TV Series) as
Marilyn Sullivan
- In Which Charlotte Goes Down the Rabbit Hole (2007) - Marilyn Sullivan
2007
Raines (TV Series) as
Arlene
- Pilot (2007) - Arlene
2006
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (TV Series) as
Dora Pomerantz
- Happenstance (2006) - Dora Pomerantz
2006
My First Wedding as
Grace
2006
Crumbs (TV Series) as
Carolyn Pierce
- Friends in High Places (2006) - Carolyn Pierce
2005
Out of Practice (TV Series) as
Barb
- -and I'll Cry If I Want to (2005) - Barb
2004
Without a Trace (TV Series) as
Bonnie Toland
- Shadows (2004) - Bonnie Toland
2004
Good Morning, Miami (TV Series) as
Sara
- Gays and Confused (2004) - Sara
2003
Frasier (TV Series) as
Peggy
- Maris Returns (2003) - Peggy
2003
Seabiscuit as
Annie Howard
2002
Par 6 as
Pecan Hegelman
2002
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) as
Brooke Thornburg
- Justice (2002) - Brooke Thornburg
2001
The West Wing (TV Series) as
Tawny Cryer, Appropriations Committee
- Gone Quiet (2001) - Tawny Cryer, Appropriations Committee
2001
Judging Amy (TV Series) as
Ms. Morlock
- The Unbearable Lightness of Being Family (2001) - Ms. Morlock
2001
After Amy (TV Movie) as
Virginia Hytner
2001
Night Visions (TV Series) as
Sally Osgoode (segment "Neighborhood Watch")
- Reunion/Neighborhood Watch (2001) - Sally Osgoode (segment "Neighborhood Watch")
2001
That's My Bush! (TV Series) as
Janet Rove
- Trapped in a Small Environment (2001) - Janet Rove
2000
Love & Money (TV Series) as
Gloria Barrell
- Guess Who's Paying for Dinner (2000) - Gloria Barrell
2000
Ally McBeal (TV Series) as
Dr. Sally Muggins
- I Will Survive (2000) - Dr. Sally Muggins
1999
ER (TV Series) as
Joi Abbott
- The Storm: Part 1 (1999) - Joi Abbott
- Choosing Joi (1999) - Joi Abbott
- Double Blind (1999) - Joi Abbott
- Nobody Doesn't Like Amanda Lee (1999) - Joi Abbott
1997
George & Leo (TV Series) as
Martha
- The Thanksgiving Show (1997) - Martha
1997
Dinner at Fred's as
Susan
1997
Jungle 2 Jungle as
Jan Kempster
1996
Caroline in the City (TV Series) as
Alicia Crawford-Lane
- Caroline and the Therapist (1996) - Alicia Crawford-Lane
1995
The Client (TV Series) as
Ellie Foltrigg
- The Good Samaritan (1996) - Ellie Foltrigg
- Damn Yankees (1996) - Ellie Foltrigg
- Winning (1996) - Ellie Foltrigg
- Dear Harris (1995) - Ellie Foltrigg
1993
Wings (TV Series) as
Sandy Cooper
- One Flew Over the Cooper's Nest (1996) - Sandy Cooper
- She's Baaack (1995) - Sandy Cooper
- 2 Good 2 Be 4 Gotten (1993) - Sandy Cooper
1995
National Lampoon's Senior Trip as
Miss Tracy Milford
1995
Women of the House (TV Series) as
Jennifer Malone
- The Afternoon Wife (1995) - Jennifer Malone
- Men Are Good (1995) - Jennifer Malone
- That's What Friends Are For (1995) - Jennifer Malone
- Guess Who's Sleeping in Lincoln's Bed? (1995) - Jennifer Malone
- Miss Sugarbaker Goes to Washington (1995) - Jennifer Malone
1994
Witch Hunt (TV Movie) as
Trudy
1994
L.A. Law (TV Series) as
Andrea Rossoff
- Cold Cuts (1994) - Andrea Rossoff
1991
Northern Exposure (TV Series) as
Eve
- Baby Blues (1994) - Eve
- The Big Feast (1993) - Eve
- Our Wedding (1992) - Eve
- Lost and Found (1992) - Eve
- The Bumpy Road to Love (1991) - Eve
1993
Children of the Mist (TV Movie) as
Chris Samuels
1992
The Powers That Be (TV Series) as
Caitlyn Van Horne
- Grammargate: Part 1 (1993) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- Having a Ball (1993) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- Grandma's Big Decision (1993) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- Grammargate: Part 2 (1993) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- Bradley Gets Fired (1993) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- St. Caitlyn of Shears (1993) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- Oh, Mack (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- Sophie's Big Decision (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- The Intern (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- How Sharper Than a Servant's Tooth (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- I'm Your Dummy (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- A Chicken in Every Pot (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- Bill's Dead- Not (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- Charlerella (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- Bill and Margaret's Excellent Adventure (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- Kiss Me Caitlyn (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- Dirty Politics (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- My Mother, My Self (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- Bill Gets Shot (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- The Love Child: Part 2 (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
- The Love Child: Part 1 (1992) - Caitlyn Van Horne
1992
Dream On (TV Series) as
Helen Harley
- Up All Night (1992) - Helen Harley
1992
Till Death Us Do Part (TV Movie) as
Gail Bugliosi
1991
Seinfeld (TV Series) as
Patrice
- The Truth (1991) - Patrice
1991
Baby Talk (TV Series) as
Tammy Morrison
- One Night with Elliot (1991) - Tammy Morrison
1991
The Young Riders (TV Series) as
Lottie
- The Talisman (1991) - Lottie
1991
Cheers (TV Series) as
Valerie Hill
- Achilles Hill (1991) - Valerie Hill
1990
An Enemy of the People (TV Movie) as
Mrs. Stockman
1990
Quantum Leap (TV Series) as
Mary Greely
- The Boogieman - October 31, 1964 (1990) - Mary Greely
1990
Father Dowling Mysteries (TV Series) as
Justine Hemmings
- The Solid Gold Headache Mystery (1990) - Justine Hemmings
1989
Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin (TV Movie) as
D.A. Barbara August
1989
Camp California (TV Movie)
1989
Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder (TV Movie) as
D.A. Barbara August
1988
Murphy's Law (TV Series) as
Andrea
- The Room Above the Indian Grocery (1988) - Andrea
1987
Her Secret Life (TV Movie) as
Becky
1987
Jack and Mike (TV Series) as
Colleen
- Till Death Do Us Part (1987) - Colleen
1987
Newhart (TV Series) as
Jolene
- Love Letters in the Mud (1987) - Jolene
1986
Fresno (TV Mini Series) as
Tiffany Kensington
- Episode #1.6 (1986) - Tiffany Kensington
- Episode #1.5 (1986) - Tiffany Kensington
- Episode #1.4 (1986) - Tiffany Kensington
- Episode #1.3 (1986) - Tiffany Kensington
- Episode #1.2 (1986) - Tiffany Kensington
- The Raisin Basket of the World (1986) - Tiffany Kensington
1986
Women of Valor (TV Movie) as
Lt. Katherine R. Grace
1986
Mr. Bill's Real Life Adventures (Short) as
Mrs. Bill
1986
American Playhouse (TV Series) as
Alice
- The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket (1986) - Alice
1982
Tales of the Unexpected (TV Series) as
Jane
- The Open Window (1982) - Jane
1979
The Doctors (TV Series) as
Ashley Bennett
1977
Tell Me My Name (TV Movie) as
Alexandra / Sarah
Producer
2010
Summer Eleven (producer)
Self
2021
In Creative Company (Podcast Series) as
Self
- Valerie Mahaffey (2021) - Self
2021
Hollywood First Look (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #3.13 (2021) - Self
1992
The 44th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Winner
1980
The 7th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (TV Special) as
Self
References
Valerie Mahaffey Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA