Valerie Harper diagnosed ...ain cancer

• Last Updated: 9:59 AM, March 6, 2013
• Posted: 9:57 AM, March 6, 2013

Valerie Harper, best known for her beloved role as Rhoda Morgenstern on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and her spinoff “Rhoda,” revealed that she has terminal brain cancer.

The 73-year-old actress, who battled lung cancer in 2009, spoke about her diagnosis to People magazine.

“I don’t think of dying,” she said. “I think of being her now.”

According to the publication, Harper underwent tests indicating she has leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, a rare condition that occurs when cancer cells spread into the fluid-filled membrane surrounding the brain.

She received the news on Jan. 15 and has been told by doctors that she could have as little as three months to live.

AP

Valerie Harper arrives at the 61st Annual Tony Awards in New York. The 73-year-old actress, who played Rhoda Morgenstern on television in the 1970s, has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

"I've had a good run," she said. "What more could I ask for?"

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OMG! Bless her soul.

God Bless Valerie Harper, her family and friends.

I cannot imagine how they are feeling right now. What a brave way to face that diagnosis.

Well, this makes me sad. It's been a bad week for some of my favorite TV stars of the '70s.

that's when I would demand a quart of liquid LSD then bath in it and tripp balls into the after life.

It would almost seem that I were making this up, but because it is so unusual is even the reason why I am mentioning it. While standing over the sink yesterday as I washed the dishes, unexpectedly, I had a thought; wondering how Valerie Harper was doing, if she was well, and how disappointed I would be to learn of her passing. Perhaps I had the recent passing of Bonnie Franklin on my mind, just the same, it blows me away to have had such a clear thought of Valerie Harper just yesterday, to come across this news a day later.

I was a huge fan of “Rhoda” back in the day, loved her fashion sense, comic timing, and admittedly had a little crush on her as a kid. I wish Valerie Harper continued strength, comfort, and peace of mind.

This is sad news. I used to watch Rhoda faithfully.

I hope she can live out her remaining months being happy and doing whatever the hell she pleases.

"Being here now" was the influence of Werner Erhard and the EST training she took in the 70s.

LOVE HER.

Her Rhoda character was one of my fashion inspirations as a kid; she was sort of the first stylist we ever saw on tv, back when we were known as fashion coordinators and visual merchandisers. She a wonderfully earthy, sexy contrast to prim and picture perfect career girl Mary. The first car I bought for myself when I became a stylist in Miami Beach, I named Rhoda, in her honor.

I love you, Rhoda Morgenstern

Ottensen said:

LOVE HER.

Her Rhoda character was one of my fashion inspirations as a kid; she was sort of the first stylist we ever saw on tv, back when we were known as fashion coordinators and visual merchandisers. She a wonderfully earthy, sexy contrast to prim and picture perfect career girl Mary. The first car I bought for myself when I became a stylist in Miami Beach, I named Rhoda, in her honor.

I love you, Rhoda Morgenstern

I'm the Mary and you're the Rhoda.

Ottensen said:

LOVE HER.

Her Rhoda character was one of my fashion inspirations as a kid; she was sort of the first stylist we ever saw on tv, back when we were known as fashion coordinators and visual merchandisers. She a wonderfully earthy, sexy contrast to prim and picture perfect career girl Mary. The first car I bought for myself when I became a stylist in Miami Beach, I named Rhoda, in her honor.

She had those hanging beads as a room divider in her apartment, and I thought that was sooooo cool as a kid.

Efan said:

Ottensen said:

LOVE HER.

Her Rhoda character was one of my fashion inspirations as a kid; she was sort of the first stylist we ever saw on tv, back when we were known as fashion coordinators and visual merchandisers. She a wonderfully earthy, sexy contrast to prim and picture perfect career girl Mary. The first car I bought for myself when I became a stylist in Miami Beach, I named Rhoda, in her honor.

She had those hanging beads as a room divider in her apartment, and I thought that was sooooo cool as a kid.

Hanging beads were absolutely cool in the 70's, along with black light posters and incense. "Rhoda" was definitely an icon of the 70's.

Genesia said:

Ottensen said:

LOVE HER.

Her Rhoda character was one of my fashion inspirations as a kid; she was sort of the first stylist we ever saw on tv, back when we were known as fashion coordinators and visual merchandisers. She a wonderfully earthy, sexy contrast to prim and picture perfect career girl Mary. The first car I bought for myself when I became a stylist in Miami Beach, I named Rhoda, in her honor.

I love you, Rhoda Morgenstern

I'm the Mary and you're the Rhoda.

Oh my damn, yes.

A toast to both of those ladies

Ottensen said:

Genesia said:

I'm the Mary and you're the Rhoda.

Oh my damn, yes.

A toast to both of those ladies

I swear to bob, my wardrobe in middle/high school was a cross between Mary Richards and Emily Hartley.

I just gotten the bad news moments ago. And I didn't even seen THIS thread until now. My bad.

Damn, that's tough.

Get well Rhoda.

She was one of my faves. Rhoda was beautiful and sexy and kinda perfectly rough around the edges.

A tv fashionista before Carrie on SATC was even a glimmer in a gay tv writer's vodka soaked brain or the word fashiosta meant anything to any of us.

omg

johnart said:

She was one of my faves. Rhoda was beautiful and sexy and kinda perfectly rough around the edges.

A tv fashionista before Carrie on SATC was even a glimmer in a gay tv writer's vodka soaked brain or the word fashiosta meant anything to any of us.

Sad to hear I don't remember watching Rhoda, maybe I did, but something about her has stuck with me all these years.

No worries she's easily replaceable by Sandy Duncan.

I saw this on Inside Edition earlier tonight. Sad to hear about this.

May she find peace and strength through this ordeal. I've watched

her on MTM and her NBC show years ago.

Very, Very Sad!

As a generation of young girls/women, Valerie Harper as Rhoda was the Cool chick. She was smart, independent, artistic, loving, great dresser and the show portrayed a realistic life with GREAT humor.

I watched Rhoda as a child and own all the seasons available on DVD and watch and thorough enjoy frequently.

Rhoda is the cooler version of Mary Tyler Moore and That Girl. Knowing this was not her only role as an actress but her most famous, I'm sure she is proud of it.

Wishing Valerie Harper comfort and many blessings.

for Valerie and her family.

Efan said:

Ottensen said:

LOVE HER.

Her Rhoda character was one of my fashion inspirations as a kid; she was sort of the first stylist we ever saw on tv, back when we were known as fashion coordinators and visual merchandisers. She a wonderfully earthy, sexy contrast to prim and picture perfect career girl Mary. The first car I bought for myself when I became a stylist in Miami Beach, I named Rhoda, in her honor.

She had those hanging beads as a room divider in her apartment, and I thought that was sooooo cool as a kid.

I remember! And they would always smack her parents in the head as thy came into the main room

Then she found a new apartment after she married Joe

Mary Tyler Moore 'absolutely devastated' by Valerie Harper's cancer diagnosis

CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

Actresses Valerie Harper, left, and Mary Tyler Moore in 1975.

By Bruna Nessif, E! Online

Actress Valerie Harper may have a positive outlook on her diagnosis of terminal brain cancer, but her on-and-off-screen BFF Mary Tyler Moore can't help but feel down.

"I'm absolutely devastated by this news," the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" star, who underwent surgery for a brain tumor in May 2011, told People magazine. "Valerie has given so much joy, laughter and love to the world. I join her fans and send much love and positive thoughts to her and her family during this difficult time."

Harper recalled phoning Moore the day before her news went public.

"She said, 'What's up?' I said, 'It's incurable cancer.' She said, 'Val, I'm so sorry,'" Harper told the mag, who first broke the news in its latest issue. Before ending their phone call, "Mary said, 'One day at a time,'" says Harper. "That's how we've got to live our lives. That's the best we can do."

Harper explained that numerous tests showed she had leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, a rare disorder in which cancer cells metastasize into the fluid-filled membrane enveloping the brain. Doctors have given her "as little as three months left to live."

"I don't think of dying," she told People. "I think of being here now."