Net Worth Ranker
What Is Valerie Harper Net Worth?
At the time of her death in 2019, Valerie Harper, the acclaimed American actress best known for her role as Rhoda Morgenstern, had a net worth of approximately $1 million. This net worth reflected a career that spanned decades across Broadway, television, and film.
Early Career and Breakthrough Success
Valerie Harper’s journey began in Suffern, New York. Her early life involved frequent relocation due to her father’s career. She honed her skills in ballet and dance, which paved her way to Broadway. She appeared in multiple shows, including “Li’l Abner”, “Wildcat”, and “Take Me Along.” Before her iconic television role, Harper gained experience with the Second City Improv group, eventually leading her to Los Angeles. It was here that a casting director spotted her, leading to her role as Rhoda Morgenstern on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”. Harper won four Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for her performance in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and its spin-off, “Rhoda”.
Television Career and Earnings
Harper’s role as Rhoda Morgenstern was a defining moment in her career. While specific salary details for “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” are not widely publicized, it’s known that the show became a solid top 10 hit after its first season. Harper received the Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress after the first season, and won two more Best Supporting Actress awards during her time on the show. In 1974, Valerie Harper’s salary for every episode of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” as Rhoda Morgenstern was $17,500. In 1975, her salary for each episode was $56,750.
After leaving “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”, Harper starred in her own spin-off series “Rhoda”. The success of “Rhoda” further solidified her status as a leading actress in television.
In 1986, Harper landed the starring role in the sitcom “Valerie”. However, she was fired from the show after two seasons due to a salary dispute with NBC and Lorimar. Following her dismissal, she sued NBC and Lorimar for breach of contract. While her claims against NBC were dismissed, the jury sided with Harper regarding Lorimar’s breach of contract, awarding her $1.4 million plus 12.5% of the show’s profits. However, Lorimar initially sued Harper and her husband for $70 million, contending they breached their contracts through Harper’s threats to quit and demands to nearly double her salary to $2.2 million a year and 35% of profits. This was later drastically reduced to $313,000.
Beyond her starring roles, Valerie Harper continued to work steadily in television, including guest appearances on shows like “Desperate Housewives” and “Drop Dead Diva”, adding to her income and maintaining her presence in the industry.
Other Ventures and Recognition
Harper’s talents extended beyond television, as she also made appearances in films such as “Freebie and the Bean” (1974) and “Chapter Two” (1979). For her role as Tallulah Bankhead in the play “Looped”, Harper received a Tony Award nomination in 2010. In 2013, Harper had to leave the production of “Looped” due to being diagnosed with brain cancer.
Harper’s lawsuit against Lombardo was for failure to pay her a royalty, which under the agreement she was entitled to (albeit at a reduced rate), if she “wish[ed] to leave the production at any time.” Lombardo filed a counterclaim against Harper in December 2013, stating that Harper and her husband breached their agreements when they “knowingly withheld the truth about Plaintiff Harper’s cancer and consequent inability to perform in the 2013 national tour of Looped.”
Real Estate and Assets
In 1995, Harper purchased a three-bedroom house in Santa Monica, California, for $765,000. Specific details about other real estate holdings or assets are not readily available in public records.
Philanthropy and Personal Life
Valerie Harper was involved in humanitarian work, particularly with The Hunger Project. In 2013, a circle of 15 friends of Valerie created The Valerie Harper Women’s Leadership Fund and grew it to $200,000 with investments from over 90 people who love her and shared her commitment to a world free from hunger. This fund was used to empower women through The Hunger Project. Harper was also an activist for civil rights, women’s rights and the underprivileged.
Harper married actor Richard Schaal in 1964, and they divorced in 1978. She later married Tony Cacciotti in 1987, and they adopted a daughter, Cristina.
In her later years, Harper faced significant health challenges. In March 2013, she publicly announced her diagnosis of terminal brain cancer and was given only a few months to live. Harper’s family set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for her ongoing medical bills. Despite the initial prognosis, she lived for several more years, but her condition eventually worsened. By July 2019, she required round-the-clock medical care. Valerie Harper passed away on August 30, 2019, at the age of 80.
