MovieChat Forums > Valerie Harper Discussion > No public comments from her costars?

No public comments from her costars?

posted 5 years ago by [deleted]
15 replies | jump to latest

Since Harper's passing yesterday, it seems the only public comment from her surviving costars was from Ed Asner, 89.

Tweeted Asner upon learning of Harper's passing,

“A beautiful woman, a wonderful actress, a great friend and with balls bigger than mine. Her brilliance burst through and shined its light upon all of us. Goodnight beautiful. I’ll see you soon.”

Yet nothing has been said by Cloris Leachman, Betty White (who honored MTM when she passed two years ago) or longtime co-star Julie Kavner.

I'm surprised.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I just went to Twitter to see if Jason Bateman had said anything as he seems to have fond memories of working on Valerie/The Hogan Family. He hasn't issued a new tweet since August 1st. Disappointed.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Gavin MacLeod made a statement this morning (I just read) saying what an inspiration and great friend she has been since meeting her for the first time in 1970 when she joined the MTM cast.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Thanks for that.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

You’re welcome.

Still nothing from Julie Kavner, Betty White, Cloris Leachman or Justin Bateman.

[–] Washingtonnative (2613) 5 years ago

How can those four not say anything about her after knowing her for the past decades?

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

Forget Julie Kavner, who has remained oddly silent about Harper, her star-making role on "Rhoda",
and anything else to do with the show/Harper. She also never publicly offered support during
Harper's long cancer battle.

Despite winning an Emmy for "Rhoda" (during its last dull season), Kavner expects people to think her
career began as Marge Simpson. Bizarre.

[–] Washingtonnative (2613) 5 years ago

Good gravy, unbelievable!!

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Good gravy, unbelievable!!

You got that right, because what gbennett posted above is from his imagination.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

1. Kavner has been a notoriously private person since starting on RHODA 45 years ago. You can count on one hand (maybe two) how many interviews she has sat for, or ever said anything in public, since 1974. In those interviews she admits she's very private.

2. She won an Emmy in September, 1978 for 'RHODA' which was recognition of her work during the fourth season (1977-78) not the fifth season - which was the last season.

3. Not sure where you're getting your 'fact' that Kavner wants people to forget her TV career began on 'Rhoda' in 1974.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

the rare times Kavner has given interviews over the past 30 years, it's for the Simpsons. She
doesn't discuss "Rhoda."

YOU live in a fantasy world.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Why would she discuss 'RHODA' in the past thirty years when she was doing publicity for 'THE SIMPSONS' ?

For some reason, you are on a mission to prove Harper and Kavner separated after 'Rhoda' ended, and never spoke to each other again. You keep failing on every post, as you're pulling everything out of your ass and not providing actual facts.

YOU have such a warped sense of reality.

[–] ProductionNow (1072) 4 years ago

Aside from privacy, there is a pattern of fans/viewers of television to assume that co-stars remain close and friendly for eternity --or that they were especially fond of other in the first place. That would not be realistic ( I mean, of all businesses). Being an actor doesn't give them some innate fondness with everyone they work with, no more than everyday people. We don't know her co-stars from decades remained in touch

[–] PaladinNJ (21510) 5 years ago

Josh Taylor said something for her memory.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Can you provide a link to what he said? I haven't found anything.

[–] [email protected] (5871) 5 years ago

I've been thinking this over and I don't know why everyone automatically expects "public statements" from co-workers, especially someone like Julie Kavner. If someone is a very private person, why would we suddenly expect them to spill their guts about such a sensitive topic?

I know these actors are in the public eye. But they have a right to privacy and their own private thoughts and feelings. Who knows if Valerie Harper's co-stars contacted her husband and daughter? Maybe they wrote letters, sent sympathy cards, flowers,etc.

I don't know why it's important for the public to know their feelings. I have had co-workers whom I cared about deeply, but if we were appearing on our own TV series I doubt if I'd make a public statement upon their passing. In the current climate of everyone texting and tweeting their innermost thoughts, some things CAN stay private.