Broadway Vet Valerie Harper Denies Reports of Being 'Absolutely Cancer-Free'

Earlier today in an exclusive interview with CloserWeekly, Broadway favorite Valerie Harper shared that she is "absolutely cancer-free," but sadly, that's not quite the case. Harper denied the clean bill of health in a recent statement: "In response to a recent erroneous quote concerning my health, I am not 'absolutely cancer-free. I wish I were. Right now what I am is cautiously optimistic about my present condition and I have hope for the future."

It was just one year ago that the Emmy-winning star shared the news that she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and was told she had only three to six months to live.

Harper is best known to audiences for her role as the beloved Rhoda Morgenstern on the classic TV sitcom "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and its subsequent spin-off, "Rhoda." The popularity of the show was enormous, and the episode of Rhoda's wedding set ratings records with 52 million viewers.

For playing Rhoda, Harper won a total of four Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. Her extensive television career includes the self titled sitcom, "Valerie," and more recently guest roles on such hit shows as "Desperate Housewives," "Sex and the City," "That '70s Show," "Touched by an Angel" and "Hot in Cleveland." Notable film credits include "Blame It on Rio," "Freebie and the Bean," "Chapter Two" and "The Last Married Couple in America."

In 2010 Harper was seen on Broadway in "Looped" and received a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of legendary actress Tallulah Bankhead. In January 2013, Harper published her memoir, I Rhoda.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski