Valerie Harper Cancer Update — Veteran stage actress Valerie Harper has shocked the entertainment industry on Jul. 29 after she was found unconscious backstage during a performance of her musical, "Nice Work If You Can Get It," in Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine.
Best known for her roles in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Rhoda," Valerie Harper has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2013. In 2009, the 75-year-old actress also battled lung cancer. But last Wednesday night, she was rushed to the hospital in York, Maine after she had fallen sick and collapsed backstage of her show, as previously reported.
Despite initial reports that she fell into a coma after being hospitalized on Wednesday, Valerie Harper denied that she was. According to People, the Ogunquit Playhouse's artistic director Branford T. Kenney confirmed that she had been taken to a local hospital as a preventive measure.
Valerie Harper took to Facebook on Friday evening and wrote about her recent health scare.
"My dear friends and fans!" she wrote. "As always, thank you for your amazing support. I am happy to report I am not, nor have I been, in a coma. As anyone who has taken strong medication knows, it doesn't always agree with you, even with me as this experience proves. I am confronting these hurdles with my usual enthusiasm and love of life. Much love, Valerie."
To end her Facebook message about her condition, Valerie Harper added a bit of humor saying, "I must confess that the highlight of this ordeal came when I was escorted by two handsome young men and a pilot, in a medivac helicopter, as the full moon lit the sky. Talk about movie magic!!!"
Meanwhile, the Ogunquit Playhouse also issued a statement clarifying Valerie Harper's condition after reports of her being in coma circulated, ET Online noted.
"There have been conflicting reports in the media regarding Valerie Harper's condition after being admitted to the hospital Wednesday evening prior to going on stage at the Ogunquit Playhouse," the theater released in a statement. "Executive Artistic Director Bradford Kenney has been in direct communication with Valerie's family from the beginning and can report that Valerie is not, and has never been, in a coma. She is currently enjoying her family's company while resting at an undisclosed location. Valerie has been loving her time in Ogunquit and is looking forward to getting back on stage at the Ogunquit Playhouse."
Due to Valerie Harper's cancer scare last week, she won't be returning to the play and will be replaced by veteran actress Brenda Vacarro. As per Entertainment Weekly, the Ogunquit Playhouse announced the replacement on Saturday.
"Valerie is feeling great right now and we want her to continue to rest and to enjoy her family," the theater's executive artistic director Bradford Kenney said. "After discussing with them, we decided that we wanted to relieve her of any pressure of having to return to the show, which only runs for two more weeks. With Valerie's blessing, the Ogunquit Playhouse is thrilled to announce that Brenda Vaccaro, star of film, television and stage, has arrived in Ogunquit to take over the role of Millicent Winter."
The "Nice Work If You Can Get It" musical will run in the Ogunquit Playhouse until Aug. 15
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