Valerie Mahaffey, the prolific film and TV actress who played eccentric characters with secret villainous sides on shows like "Northern Exposure" and "Desperate Housewives," has died, according to multiple media reports.

Valerie Mahaffey, an actress known for her scene-stealing turns in "Desperate Housewives," and "Northern Exposure," died Friday in Los Angeles after battling cancer, her publicist said in a statement to CBS News. Mahaffey, who won an Emmy for playing Eve the hypochondriac on "Northern Exposure," was 71 years old.

She had memorable roles on TV shows like “Desperate Housewives” and “Northern Exposure,” and in the dark comedy film “French Exit.”