New Delhi, May 31 -- Valerie Mahaffey, the Emmy Award-winning actress best known for her quirky roles in popular television dramas and comedies, has died at the age of 71.

Mahaffey passed away on Friday, May 30, in Los Angeles following a private battle with cancer, her publicist Jillian Roscoe confirmed in a statement.

Over a career that spanned more than four decades, Mahaffey became known for her sharp wit, expressive performances, and her ability to bring eccentric characters to life. She was perhaps most recognised for her role as the prim and unpredictable Eve in Northern Exposure, which earned her an Emmy Award in 1992 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

She later appeared in a variety of well-loved television ...