Valerie Perrine, the Oscar-nominated actress who starred in “Superman” and delivered a critically acclaimed performance in “Lenny,” has died at age 82 after a years-long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Rise to Stardom
Born in Galveston, Texas, Perrine rose to prominence in Hollywood in the early 1970s. She gained early recognition in 1972’s “Slaughterhouse-Five” before achieving her breakthrough as Honey Bruce in 1974’s “Lenny,” opposite Dustin Hoffman.She later became widely known to mainstream audiences for her role as Eve Teschmacher in 1978’s “Superman,” starring alongside Gene Hackman and Christopher Reeve. Perrine reprised the role in 1980’s "Superman II.” Additional film credits included 1976’s “W.C. Fields and Me,” 1979’s “The Electric Horseman,” 1982’s “The Border,” and 2000’s “What Women Want.”
On television, Perrine appeared in series such as “Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills” and guest roles in “Walker, Texas Ranger,” 1990s' “ER,” “The Practice,” and “Third Watch,” among others.
“When she was going to have [deep brain stimulation] surgery, I knew that was a once-in-a-lifetime event that had to be captured. I borrowed a camera, and that’s how the journey began,” the filmmaker added, referring to her short documentary “Valerie” that highlighted the late actress’s battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
“Valerie Perrine gave everything she had to her craft, her fans, and her life — with grace, humor, and an indomitable spirit that Parkinson's itself could never fully extinguish. Let's make sure her final chapter is written with the same dignity and love that she gave to all of us,” the fundraiser’s description reads.
Perrine is survived by her brother, who is also battling Parkinson’s disease.