Valerie Harper 'DWTS' Elimination: 'Not Sad,' Says 'Mary Tyler Moore' Star
Valerie Harper was eliminated from season 17 of "Dancing With The Stars" Monday night, but the actress remains in high spirits.
At 74 years old and suffering from a terminal illness, Harper has become well known for her characteristic optimism in recent years, and Monday was no exception.
In January, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" actress was diagnosed with brain cancer- leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, in which cancer cells metastasize into fluid-filled membranes that envelope the brain.
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Harper was given a matter of months to live when she made a hardline decision to live the last days of her life to the fullest, which led to her accepting a place among season 17's cast of "DWTS."
"When they asked, I thought, 'Why would I say no?' When life asks you to dance, you just have to dance," Harper recounted to People.
Additionally, "it might prove inspiring to people to see a 74-year-old woman with terminal cancer dancing," she said.
However, despite the help of her professional dance partner Tristan MacManus, Harper earned consistently low scores and was sent home from ABC's show on Monday.
"I'm not sad," said the "Rhoda" star.
"I feel very happy that I was here for four dances with Tristan," Harper added moments after her elimination from "DWTS," according to Omg! Yahoo.
The actress went on to cite that dancing is said to be good for cancer patients, although the movements did hurt her knees.
"People used to say, 'Go home, rest, put your feet up,' and there are people who are suffering horribly with this disease … But I have been extremely lucky," Harper continued. "I got through 'DWTS' and didn't die on the floor, or fall."
Furthermore, Harper's appearance on "DWTS" allowed her an "opportunity for me to carry a message" that people should always keep trying, no matter what, according to ABC News.
Harper's fellow "DWTS" cast mates, including Bill Engvall who vowed to stay in touch, will miss the cheerful star.
"I'm not going to miss her, because I'm going to stay in touch with her," said the comedian to ABC News. "And that's one of the great things. I just love her to death. I hope that I can someday be half the person she is."
"High School Musical" alum Corbin Bleu also noted his grief over Harper's elimination.
"She keeps everyone grounded, and there's so much heart," said the actor. "I truly feel like we've lost something with Valerie gone."
