Valerie Harper dies: Emmy-winning Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda star was 80

ABC7News

Harper, who died this morning a week after her 80th birthday, won four Emmys and one Golden Globe playing the neurotic Rhoda Morgenstern on Mary Tyler Moore and spinoff Rhoda -- three Emmys for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy and one Emmy for lead actress in a comedy. The cause of her death wasn't immediately disclosed. In 2009, Harper was diagnosed with lung cancer. In 2013, she was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer. But she was able to beat the odds and compete on Dancing with the Stars in 2014. Last month, a GoFundMe campaign was established to help Harper and her husband, producer/actor Tony Cacciotti, take care of medical bills. Harper starred on Mary Tyler Moore Show from its premiere in 1970 through 1974, earning an Emmy nomination for outstanding comedy supporting actress each season with three wins. She starred on spinoff Rhoda from 1974 through 1978, earning an Emmy nomination for outstanding comedy lead actress for the first four of five seasons and winning for the first season. Harper made headlines when she and husband Cacciotti walked out on her late 1980s NBC comedy Valerie, which changed its name to Valerie's Family. After a second holdout, Harper was fired, Sandy Duncan was brought in and the show was ultimately retitled The Hogan Family. "A beautiful woman, a wonderful actress, a great friend and with balls bigger than mine," tweeted Ed Asner, Harper's Mary Tyler Moore co-star. "Her brilliance burst through and shined its light upon all of us.  Goodnight beautiful.  I’ll see you soon." Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal added: "One of our all-time favorites has passed. Wonderful, funny, lovely, supportive and a huge influence on and off stage, we love you, Valerie." Parks and Recreation and The Good Place's Michael Schur tweeted: "Valerie Harper was one of the greatest TV actors of all time. A true comedic genius. She inspired me, and I loved her very much." ALSO: Hollywood pays tribute to Valerie Harper.