Oscar-Nominated Actress Valerie Perrine Dies at 82

Valerie Perrine, the Oscar-nominated actress widely recognized for her performances in Lenny and the original Superman films, has died at the age of 82. Her death was confirmed by her close friend Stacey Souther, who said Perrine passed away after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

Perrine first gained major attention in the 1970s, when her career rose from her background as a Las Vegas showgirl to prominent roles in Hollywood. She earned critical acclaim for portraying Honey Harlow in Lenny, a performance that brought her an Academy Award nomination and established her as a notable talent of her era.

She also became well known to mainstream audiences for her role as Eve Teschmacher, Lex Luthor’s assistant and romantic interest, in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980). Those appearances helped secure her lasting place in popular culture.

In later years, Perrine’s health battle became publicly known through the 2019 documentary Valerie, which examined the effects of Parkinson’s disease on her life. Despite the challenges of her illness, she was remembered by friends and admirers for her resilience, humor and distinctive screen presence.

Her passing marks the loss of a memorable figure in American film, whose work spanned both critically acclaimed drama and iconic popular cinema.