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Actress Fired, Character Killed Off After Salary Dispute
13 Jul
Summary
- Valerie Harper's sitcom 'Valerie' was canceled after two seasons.
- The actress was fired after demanding a higher salary and creative control.
- Her character was killed off, and a new actress took over the family.
In 1985, actress Valerie Harper starred in the NBC family sitcom "Valerie," aiming for a career resurgence seven years after her role in "Rhoda." The series, initially centered on Harper, saw her character's role diminish over time. Despite starting with lower ratings, "Valerie" gained a dedicated following by its second season.
Harper sought a salary increase and greater creative input, but the studio, Lorimar-Telepictures, refused. When negotiations stalled, Harper refused to film, a tactic she had previously used successfully on "Rhoda." This time, however, the studio responded by firing her and killing off her character. Her sister-in-law, played by Sandy Duncan, subsequently took over caring for the family.
