Valerie Harper

Valerie Harper: biography

Valerie Harper is a legendary prominent actress. For her enormous contribution to the world of cinema, she was honored by lots of precious awards, including Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance. What else does Harper have to be proud of? It’s high time we knew it!

Childhood and youth

Valerie Harper’s birthplace is New York, the United States. She was raised in the family of Howard Donald and his wife, Iva. Speaking about their occupations, Valerie’s dad worked as a salesman. Valerie’s mom, in her turn, served at a local kindergarten.

Valeria was not the only child in the family – she shared a flat with two siblings. Moreover, her dad’s second wife gave birth to their half-sister.

As a result of her dad’s profession, Valerie’s family often changed places of living.

Being a teenager, Harper began dancing ballet.

Movie career

1956 brought the celebrity her first Broadway role – she appeared in Li'l Abner. Later that year, she was invited to star dancing in Rock Rock Rock.

Three years later, Harper was seen acting in Take Me Along and in the other version of Li'l Abner.

At the beginning of the 1960s, Valerie Harper mostly performed as a dancer in various plays and musicals, for example, Subways Are for Sleeping. 1963 was marked by her first TV role – she was cast of The Doctors playing the role of Mrs. Steiner.

In 1970, playing in one of the theatre plays, the celebrity was noticed by a special agent. He offered her to play in the situation comedy entitled The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Valerie Harper agreed – she had played totally in 89 episodes of the show before leaving in 1975.

In 1974 Harper’s fans could see her acting in Rhoda – she performed in near 100 episodes of the show. Around that time, she also appeared in such projects as Chapter Two and Freebie and the Bean.

1986 brought the celebrity role in the TV series entitled Valerie (later its name was changed to The Hogan Family). Having worked there for two seasons, the woman left the show because of the scandals about salary.

In 1990 Harper was among actors of City – she played Liz Gianni in all the series’ episodes. Totally, in the 1990s Harper contributed to seven TV pictures.

In 2000 viewers of the movie Mary and Rhoda could watch Harper portraying Rhoda. Two years later, she added Dancing at the Harvest Moon to the list of projects she starred in.

2005 was marked by Harper’s role in Golda’s Balcony’ – the picture about a policy.

In spite of discovering she had a dangerous illness, the woman continued appearing in movies and TV shows. So, in 2010 she was among actors of ‘Looped.’

The celebrity also took part in Dancing with the Stars.

In 2013 she was invited to The Mary Tyler Moore Show alongside Georgia Engel.

Valerie Harper’s net worth is evaluated at $1 million.

Personal life

Speaking about Harper’s relationships, she has had several husbands. So, in 1964 she tied the knot with a prominent star Richard Schaal. The two annulled their marriage at the beginning of 1978.

In 1987 Harper and her new partner Tony Cacciotti shared vows. In 1983, they adopted a kid – a girl named Cristina.

In 2009 Harper referred to doctors because felt her health was deteriorating. They claimed the woman had lung cancer. As of today, she consumes special drugs, keeps a diet and spends the majority of time at home.

In 2010 the rumors appeared Harper would die in three months. However, it didn’t happen and the woman publicly commented the situation. She said she was going to struggle against the disease cause she loved her life very much and was ready to find a solution by all means.

In 2013 she presented to the world the book of her memoirs.

Activism and charity

The actress has always been involved in social activism and charitable works. So, she was an active member of the movement for liberation of women and took part in fighting for civil rights in the 1960s.

Besides, Harper is an owner of a charitable organization L.I.F.E. aimed to help people in need.

Filmography

• Mary and Rhoda (2000)
• Golda's Balcony (2007)
• Shiver (2011)
• Fixing Pete (2011)
• Certainty (2011)
• Merry Xmas (2015)