A biography for Valerie Harperhasn’t been written yet.
“Anything I can give women to help them feel better about themselves, that's what I want to do.”
“Comedy is saving me.”
“Rhoda Morgenstern gave a wonderful impetus and propulsion to my career.”
“With imagery, as actors know, you can make up anything you want to. You can put yourself in icy water to get rid of this or that.”
“I was a dancer, but I was always a little overweight. I'd say, 'Hello, I'm Valerie Harper, and I'm overweight.' I'd say it quickly before they could... I always got called chubby. My nose was too wide; my hair was too kinky.”
“Cancer reminds me of a very bad but tenacious performer who, although no one wants to see, insists on doing an encore, having a return engagement, making a comeback and, worst of all, going on tour.”
“The movie that really 'did it for me' was 'All About Eve.' The backstage feeling, the authenticity, the passion those people had for their lives in the theater. I must say, the movie 'All About Eve,' what a great movie! 'All About Eve' had a profound effect on my life.”
“Actors often want to look like they're comfortable. You want to go into an audition saying, 'I'm your gal. I'm what you need.' Yet you don't want to push.”
“Knowing that you have something you have to deal with, rising to the occasion, builds character.”
“As long as you're alive, you can do something.”
“We all have a way to contribute, to your community, to your family, whatever it is you can do.”
“When I heard 'incurable'... incurable is a tough word.”
“I've always done character roles and tons of movies as the so-called star, but I always felt I was one of the team.”
“There are times when I cry. I'll sit in the chair and feel the depression, let it seethe. Then it starts to go away, and I find myself laughing, saying, 'Well, that was dramatic.'”
“If you die, you're not a failure.”
“I wouldn't give people advice except to share with them what I'm doing, which is, You're alive - stay alive.”
“Pearl Buck was my mother's favorite author.”
“I think you just take each day and get the best out of it and do what you can and have fun.”
“Magazines airbrush everything. If you think it's an illusion, then it probably is.”
“I think I have too little to hide to be interesting.”