# Goodnight, Rhoda - Valerie Harper dies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 30, 2019, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504 "2019-08-30T23:57:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2019, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/1 "2019-08-30T23:57:37Z")
[Link](https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/30/entertainment/valerie-harper-obituary/index.html) After a long battle with cancer. RIP. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/2 "2019-08-31T00:04:03Z")
Sad. Another of those who looked as though they’d live forever. So now only Phyllis, Beth, and Mr Grant are left? Is Murray still alive? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/3 "2019-08-31T00:14:57Z")
Betty White, Joyce Bulifant, and John Amos are still around. Of course, so is Julie Kavner. Have I missed anybody? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/4 "2019-08-31T00:15:42Z")
Betty White played SueAnn??? She’s still alive right? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/5 "2019-08-31T00:28:11Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Betty White played SueAnn??? She’s still alive right? Sue Ann Nivens, “The Happy Homemaker.” Evidently yes, still alive. Bonus points if you can name Rhoda’s other sister (who got married in one episode of _ **MTM** _) and the actress who played her. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/6 "2019-08-31T01:08:50Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Is Murray still alive? He’s Captain Stubing now, but yes, he is. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/7 "2019-08-31T02:51:43Z")
I thought Georgia Engel (Georgette Franklin Baxter) was still alive but she died a few months ago. She was a Christian Scientist and the COD is unknown because she never went to a Doctor when she got sick (per wiki). ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/8 "2019-08-31T03:03:24Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Evidently yes, still alive. [Alive, and badass.](https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/fans/2019/08/29/betty-white-crashes-snf-promo-packers-bears-season-opener/2151276001/) ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/9 "2019-08-31T03:04:12Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Sue Ann Nivens, “The Happy Homemaker.” Evidently yes, still alive. > > Bonus points if you can name Rhoda’s other sister (who got married in one episode of _ **MTM** _) and the actress who played her. Julie Kavner? …Brenda maybe? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/10 "2019-08-31T03:59:42Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Julie Kavner? …Brenda maybe? Nope. Brenda was Rhoda’s “youngest sister,”\* implying she had at least one other, plus the one who got married on _ **MTM** _. The one who got married was Debbie, played by **this actress** : > **[Louise Williams | Actress, Music Department](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0931166/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm)** > > Known for: Busting Loose, Gus, Tabitha Brenda eventually got engaged, but I don’t think we ever saw her married. I was always annoyed that they depicted her as a frumpy and insecure whiner. I thought she was cute as a button! \*_ **Rhoda** _, S1 E6. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/11 "2019-08-31T04:12:22Z")
Small correction: Phyllis’s daughter was named Bess, not Beth. She was played by Lisa Gerritsen. Something interesting about Harold Gould, who played Rhoda’s father Martin: Among his many other roles (including Nazi officers on\*\*\* Hogan’s Heroes\*\*\*), he was the father of Ann Marie and Richie Cunningham in the pilots of _ **That Girl** _ and _ **Happy Days** _, respectively. The latter was actually a backdoor pilot (the “Love and the Happy Days” episode of _ **Love, American Style** _). I remember reading this years ago but had forgotten all about it. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/12 "2019-08-31T04:20:35Z")
Priscilla Morrill, who played Edie Grant, passed away in 1994. She was also Chrissy’s mother on _ **Three’s Company** _. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/13 "2019-08-31T14:37:37Z")
I’m sure Carlton was very happy to hold the door for her. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/14 "2019-08-31T14:55:54Z")
RIP Rhoda. ☹ > [@terentii](#): > > …Something interesting about Harold Gould, who played Rhoda’s father Martin: Among his many other roles (including Nazi officers on\*\*\* Hogan’s Heroes\*\*\*), he was the father of Ann Marie and Richie Cunningham in the pilots of _ **That Girl** _ and _ **Happy Days** _, respectively. The latter was actually a backdoor pilot (the “Love and the Happy Days” episode of _ **Love, American Style** _). I remember reading this years ago but had forgotten all about it. Harold Gould’s most memorable role was in [The Sting](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070735/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_115), as the \*très \*suave, stylish grifter Kid Twist. Anyone who hasn’t seen this timeless, Perfect Movie, track it down and watch it immediately. Not only does it have Paul Newman and Robert Redford in their absolute PRIME, but the double-crossing the double-crossers plot is brilliant. I’ve seen this movie maybe 20 times, and it took me years to figure out exactly who everyone was and where they fit into this seriously clever revenge story. Here is [Harold](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZWM3Yjc5ZDktMDAwNy00ZTZhLWI4MjgtZGE1OTk5MmVkYzU4XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTI3MDk3MzQ@._V1_SX1777_CR0,0,1777,962_AL_.jpg)as Kid Twist looking extremely dapper. He was 50 at the time. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/15 "2019-08-31T15:09:56Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I’m sure Carlton was very happy to hold the door for her. I love this. RIP, Valerie and Lorenzo. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/16 "2019-08-31T16:08:25Z")
… And David Groh, aka “Joe,” left this vale of tears on 12 February 2008. Ted Bessel, “the other Joe,” succumbed to an aortic aneurysm on 6 October 1996. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/17 "2019-08-31T18:37:55Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I’m sure Carlton was very happy to hold the door for her. And Ida is waiting for her with a brisket. RIP, Rhoda. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/18 "2019-08-31T19:52:11Z")
I enjoyed the MTM Show as a kid, and always thought it would be more fun to date Rhoda than Mary. Just as attractive, IMO, and far less boring to spend time with. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/19 "2019-08-31T19:56:12Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > RIP Rhoda. ☹ > > Harold Gould’s most memorable role was in [The Sting](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070735/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_115), as the \*très \*suave, stylish grifter Kid Twist. Anyone who hasn’t seen this timeless, Perfect Movie, track it down and watch it immediately. Not only does it have Paul Newman and Robert Redford in their absolute PRIME, but the double-crossing the double-crossers plot is brilliant. I’ve seen this movie maybe 20 times, and it took me years to figure out exactly who everyone was and where they fit into this seriously clever revenge story. > > Here is [Harold](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZWM3Yjc5ZDktMDAwNy00ZTZhLWI4MjgtZGE1OTk5MmVkYzU4XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTI3MDk3MzQ@._V1_SX1777_CR0,0,1777,962_AL_.jpg)as Kid Twist looking extremely dapper. He was 50 at the time. Yeah…EVERYONE in that movie was superb. Always fun to see Ray Walston work a non-Martian role. (I saw him onstage in Cleveland in the 1970s, playing the lead part in Moliere’s **The Learned Ladies.** Excellent.) ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504/20 "2019-08-31T21:05:53Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Betty White, Joyce Bulifant, and John Amos are still around. Of course, so is Julie Kavner. > > Have I missed anybody? 😕 You’ve got to dig down pretty deep to get to people not mentioned yet who appeared on _MTM_. Two of my favs are Beverly Sanders who appeared as a waitress 3 times and Pat Finley who appeared twice as basically the same character: once named Twinks and another time named Sparkle. Her biggest role was a Bob’s sister on _The Bob Newhart Show_. And 3 different roles on _Lou Grant_. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodnight-rhoda-valerie-harper-dies/839504.md?page=2)