Showbiz411

It’s like a punch to the gut this morning: People magazine reports that Valerie Harper has terminal brain cancer. The multiple Emmy winner for “Rhoda,” Tony nominee for “Looped,” and great lady and friend to so many, seems too full of life to have it taken away. Still, her attitude in People is bright. Valerie has been a mover and shaker in the Screen Actors Guild, a tireless advocate for causes she believes in, and an all around champion. When she was fired from her own TV show, “Valerie,” by crazy producers, she fought back, sued them, and won. A versatile stage actress from Paul Sills’ “StoryTheater” in the late 60s, Valerie made the one of the most indelible impressions in cultural history as Rhoda Morgenstern. It’s a role she can’t shake, but who would want to? Rhoda was an iconic character that still–watch her now on DVD– steals the show. She tells like it is, just like Valerie. I know everyone will send prayers to Valerie, Tony, and their daughter Christina.

Roger Friedman

Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News. Friedman previously wrote the Intelligencer column at New York Magazine, He writes for Parade magazine and has written for Details, Vogue, the New York Times, Post, and Daily News and many other publications. He is the writer and co-producer of a film about R&B Music called “Only the Strong Survive,” which was released by Miramax in 2003 and was a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals.