Valerie Harper 'to receive $50,000 from playwright' as settlement is reached in cancer lawsuit

By Alexa Rae Johnson

Published: 22:29 EST, 18 May 2014 | Updated: 22:29 EST, 18 May 2014

It's a victory for Valerie Harper, as a settlement has been reached in her lawsuit.

A judge has ruled that the actress will be rewarded around $50,000 from playwright Matthew Lombardo.

TMZ reports the latest development in the lawsuit - which originally began with Harper, 74, getting sued.

Victory: Valerie Harper (pictured May 12) is set to be given $50,000 from the playwright who was suing her

Victory: Valerie Harper (pictured May 12) is set to be given $50,000 from the playwright who was suing her

The writer of the play Looped, was suing Harper for $2 million for allegedly hiding the return of her cancer.

Lombardo claimed Harper kept her terminal illness a secret in 2012 in order to allegedly keep her role in his production before eventually dropping out.

Harper had previously sued Lombardo, claiming he refused to pay her what she was owed from her contract after she had to leave the play due to her illness.

After being cured of lung cancer in 2009, three years later Harper was informed that the cancer had spread to her brain and was given three to six months to live.

Health problems: Matthew Lombardo was accusing the actress of hiding the fact she has cancer and suing her for $2million

Health problems: Matthew Lombardo was accusing the actress of hiding the fact she has cancer and suing her for $2million

Legal battle: Prior to Lombardo's lawsuit, Harper (seen here with country singer Kellie Pickler) had sued him first for refusing to pay her according to their contract

Legal battle: Prior to Lombardo's lawsuit, Harper (seen here with country singer Kellie Pickler) had sued him first for refusing to pay her according to their contract

Harper was apparently given the diagnosis 16 months ago - before starting work on Looped.

Despite all of her health struggles, Harper has stayed in positive spirits.

At 74, with terminal cancer, she competed on ABC's hit show Dancing With The Stars and made it into the fourth week of the season.

She said of her experience, 'It's really a great thing to get out and dance'.

The actress told ABC that her next goal is to make it to her 75th birthday in August. She said her mission is to 'Stay here, live it out, fight it through... Try to hang in, that's my feeling about it'.

Terminal illness: The 74-year-old (seen here May 7 with politician Bill Nelson) was given three to six months to live in 2012

Terminal illness: The 74-year-old (seen here May 7 with politician Bill Nelson) was given three to six months to live in 2012

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Hang in there Valerie. Thank you for all the laughs!

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She didn't need the stress of a $2m lawsuit that's for sure. What a mean person Matthew Lombardo is.

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