Liked that movie Blame it on Rio. She battled lung cancer since 2009 and some rare form of cancer in 2013 and gave her 3 months to live. And here she was still going almost 6 years later it says.
I have been told by doctors to put Val in Hospice care and I can’t [because of our 40 years of shared commitment to each other] and I won’t because of the amazing good deeds she has graced us with while she’s been here on earth.
We will continue going forward as long as the powers above allow us, I will do my very best in making Val as comfortable as possible.
There are two special ANGELS on this planet masquerading as humans who live and work together, that have made it possible to have all of Val’s needs taken care of.
For those of you who have been in this position, you will totally understand that “it’s hard letting go.” So as long as I’m able and capable, I’ll be where I belong right beside her.
Many, many thanks for your outpouring of kindness and support.
Tony
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We are so grateful for your love and support. I will continue to provide updates on Valerie's Facebook page from time to time as we know that you will be thinking about her.
Deanna
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Valerie Harper came into our hearts in 1970 as Mary Richard's witty, edgy and loving neighbor, Rhoda, on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" followed by her own show. Her career before and after "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" included dance, theatre, television sitcoms and movies. Winning four Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award and nominated for a Tony Award for her role as Tallulah Bankhead in "Looped."
In 2009, she was diagnosed with lung cancer and in March 2013, revealed she was diagnosed with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis — a condition that occurs when cancer cells spread into the fluid-filled membrane surrounding the brain, known as the meninges. Valerie has defied all odds and continued working and enjoying each day years beyond what doctors had expected. Her husband, Tony Cacciotti, has been by her side giving her support and hope every step of the way.
Valerie has been grateful over the years for the medical breakthroughs along this difficult journey but insurance doesn't cover everything. There are unrelenting medical costs on a continuous basis. Valerie is currently taking a multitude of medications and chemotherapy drugs as well as going through extreme physical and painful challenges now with around the clock, 24/7 care immediately needed which is not covered by insurance. This is just part of the daily cost that is without a doubt a financial burden that could never be met alone. This GoFundMe initiative from Tony, is to ensure she receives the best care possible.
Your care and support is greatly appreciated.
Valerie is loved by many friends and fans around the globe and although calls and emails can't always be returned, she will receive and read the messages you post below.
I am a friend of the family as I met both Valerie and Tony 20 years ago. I have a background in business theatre and have worked in marketing, community theatre and the Tony Awards in addition to relationships within the entertainment industry with a cancer awareness project I founded in 2010. I worked with Val and Tony on marketing, grant research and various behind the scene work with their show "All Under Heaven" and over the years have assisted on various private events and gatherings as well as general and personal support. The funds raised will initially be transferred to my bank account once a week and electronically wired to Valerie Harper and Tony Cacciotti's bank account with a documented report of amount of funds raised, GoFundMe fees and transfer fee (if applicable). Thank you so much for your love, support and understanding -- Deanna
I have been told by doctors to put Val in Hospice care and I can’t [because of our 40 years of shared commitment to each other] and I won’t because of the amazing good deeds she has graced us with while she’s been here on earth.
We will continue going forward as long as the powers above allow us, I will do my very best in making Val as comfortable as possible.
There are two special ANGELS on this planet masquerading as humans who live and work together, that have made it possible to have all of Val’s needs taken care of.
For those of you who have been in this position, you will totally understand that “it’s hard letting go.” So as long as I’m able and capable, I’ll be where I belong right beside her.
Many, many thanks for your outpouring of kindness and support.
Tony
-------------
We are so grateful for your love and support. I will continue to provide updates on Valerie's Facebook page from time to time as we know that you will be thinking about her.
Deanna
<header class="m-update-info" style="box-sizing: inherit; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; align-items: center; margin-left: 1rem;">JULY 12, 2019by Deanna B., Organizer</header>Thank you to all who have shown support, contributions and messages. We realize there are questions and appreciate those who understand the journey that life deals us. There comes a time when our careers are behind us and the unexpected is in front…<button class="m-readmore-text a-button a-button--inline" data-element-id="btn_update_read_more" data-analytic-event-listener="true" style="box-sizing: inherit; -webkit-appearance: none; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.25em; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; align-items: center; display: inline-flex; text-decoration-line: underline;">Read more</button>
The star died on Friday at 10:06 a.m., her family confirmed to ABC 7. Her cause of death was not immediately known.
Harper had been battling a number of health issues over the past few years, including leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, lung cancer and brain cancer.
On July 8, a family friend set up a GoFundMe page titled “The Valerie Harper Cancer Support Fund” in order to assist Harper with her daily “unrelenting medical costs” so that she would receive “the best care possible.”
Within the first week, the campaign had raised over $40,000 from friends, family and many of Harper’s beloved fans.
Once she debuted as the kooky neighbor from New York on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970, Harper liked to say, “People identify with Rhoda because she’s a loser” — a claim that the actress would soon have to deny.
Though the CBS Saturday night sitcom was not a ratings hit its first season, Harper took home the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress. After that, the show remained solidly in the top 10 for years, and Harper won two more supporting actress awards.
From that success came the 1974–78 spin-off Rhoda and a Best Actress Emmy. When Rhoda got married, on October 28, 1974, the special hour-long episode shattered ratings records with 52 million viewers — more than half of America’s entire viewing audience.
[FONT="]Wanted to Be a Dancer[/FONT] [FONT="]Valerie Harper was born in Rockland County, New York in the town of Suffern to parents Iva and Donald. Her mom was a nurse, while her dad was a lighting salesman who traveled the country, taking his family with him. By the age of 13, Harper had lived in New Jersey, California, Michigan and Oregon.
[/FONT] [FONT="]Simultaneously taking ballet and attending Manhattan’s School for Young Professionals, Harper debuted professionally at age 16 as part of the Corps de Ballet at Radio City Music Hall, where, at 5 ft., 6 in., she said that she felt “like a klutz next to those other skinny girls.”
[/FONT] [FONT="]Hoping to graduate from the chorus, where she danced in such Broadway shows as 1960’s Lucille Ball musical Wildcat, Harper seriously plunged into acting lessons, though it was her comedic skills that got her into Chicago’s Second City Theater.