Valerie Harper Sued for Not Telling Broadway Producers She Had Cancer

Valerie Harper is being sued by playwright Matthew Lombardo and several Broadway producers for not telling them she had brain cancer, TMZ reports.

According to a lawsuit obtained by TMZ, Lombardo and his production team claim that Harper failed to inform them in 2012 that her cancer had returned while she was starring in Lombardo's play Looped. The producers noticed something was awry when Harper began slurring and forgetting her lines during rehearsals.

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Harper went to see a doctor at the director's urging, according to TMZ. In January of 2013, she learned that the cancer had spread to her brain and was told that she had only three months to live. After getting the news, Harper dropped out of the play.

Lombardo and his co-plaintiffs claim Harper left them insufficient time to find a replacement and are seeking $2 million.

Their lawsuit was filed in response to a lawsuit filed by Harper, who claims that Lombardo refused to pay her the rest of her salary as set forth in her contract.

Earlier this month, Harper said she is not yet cancer-free, but is "cautiously optimistic" about her condition.