Valerie Harper

Harper was born in Suffern, New York. She soon focused her main energies on the stage, however, and returned to the screen only occasionally. Harper has worked almost exclusively in television, and has also had roles in made-for-TV-movies and guest spots on a number of series, including Sex and the City. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her turn as a cynical photographer in The Philadelphia Story. (It was renamed Valerie's Family in 1987 and later The Hogan Family after Harper left the series and was replaced by Sandy Duncan). She quickly became a leading lady in MGM's "B" unit, usually playing sophisticated, worldly roles. She also played family matriarch Valerie Hogan on the 1980s sitcom Valerie. She obtained some stage roles with touring companies and was noticed by MGM, which signed her and with whom she made her film debut in 1937.

Harper won four Emmy awards and a Golden Globe for her work as Rhoda Morgenstern on both series. She journeyed to New York City, where she was signed as a model by the world-famous Powers agency. Harper is best known for her portrayal of the wise-cracking yet vulnerable Rhoda Morgenstern on two CBS television sitcoms of the 1970s: The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-off Rhoda, in which she played the title role. Ruth Carol Hussey was born October 30 1914 A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Drama, Ruth Hussey's first show-business job was as a fashion commentator on a local radio station. Valerie Harper (born August 22, 1940) is an American actress.