What '70s Icon Valerie Harper Looked Like Over The Decades

The late Valerie Harper is known by most for her role as Rhoda on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," which aired from 1970 until 1977. Later starring in her own spinoff, "Rhoda," the '70s icon was often spotted wearing voluminous hairstyles including flipped curls and teased updos. As far as makeup, the actor frequently wore shades of orange and red lipstick and black eyeliner. In the mid to late '70s, Harper began to incorporate curlier hairstyles, but kept the length of her strands above or at her shoulders.

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Around 1980, she dyed her hair honey blond, similar to Melanie Griffith, one of several '80s actors who are practically unrecognizable now. Harper began to wear deeper neckline tops compared to the sweaters and scoop necks she was frequently photographed in at the start of her career. Similar to Stevie Nicks, known for her iconic '70s style, the star also incorporated cardigans and shawl-style layers into her wardrobe.

Following her blond era, Valerie Harper would fluctuate between shades of brown and frequently wore her hair at a length between her chin and shoulders with feathered bangs. The actor remained loyal to her layered outfits, but her makeup became more minimal with red toned lipsticks becoming a staple in her routine from the mid 1980s to the 2010s. Harper also began to incorporate more hats and head scarves into her wardrobe in 2013, the same year she was diagnosed with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, a form of brain cancer.  Despite her diagnosis, the actor also appeared on "Dancing  With the Stars" that year at the age of 74.  Toward the later part of her life, she continued wearing vibrant colors and was also spotted wearing wigs and mushroom style cuts.

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Harper passed away at age 80 in 2019, but her family ensured her distinctive style was honored. "It was a celebration. Guests were asked to wear colorful clothing — the color black was not allowed," a family friend told Us Weekly about the funeral. "Guests brought a single yellow rose to leave for Valerie at her grave. There were several speakers who told beautiful stories about Valerie and lots of memories shared about her life." If you're seeking more style inspiration from Harper's era, Debbie Harry's iconic '70s hair will have you reaching for the bleach.