Valerie Perrine, the Oscar-nominated actress recognized for her roles as Honey Bruce in the 1974 film "Lenny" and as Miss Eve Teschmacher in the "Superman" films, died on Monday at her home in Beverly Hills. She was 82 years old.
Her death, announced by her friend and filmmaker Stacey Souther, followed a protracted battle with Parkinson's disease.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Valerie Perrine was born on September 3, 1943, in Galveston, Texas, where her father served as a career military officer. She began her professional career as a Las Vegas showgirl in 1968. Her transition to acting occurred after she was discovered by a talent agent at a Los Angeles dinner party. During this period, she was involved with hairdresser Jay Sebring, who was later murdered.
Her initial film roles included Montana Wildhack in George Roy Hill's 1972 adaptation of "Slaughterhouse-Five" and an appearance in "The Last American Hero" (1973) opposite Jeff Bridges.
In 1973, Perrine made headlines as the first female actor to intentionally appear nude on US television in the PBS telefilm "Steambath," a scene that subsequently became a fundraising tool for the broadcaster. She publicly attributed her comfort with nudity to her prior experiences as a showgirl and her time in Europe. Perrine was also photographed for Playboy on multiple occasions.
Notable Film and Television Roles
Perrine's breakthrough role came in Bob Fosse’s 1974 biopic "Lenny," where she portrayed Honey Bruce, the wife of comedian Lenny Bruce, starring opposite Dustin Hoffman.
For her performance, she received a Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival, a BAFTA for most promising newcomer, and nominations for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Actress.
She gained further widespread recognition for her role as Miss Eve Teschmacher, the assistant to criminal mastermind Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), in "Superman" (1978) and its 1980 sequel, "Superman II." In these films, her character was depicted conspiring with Luthor but ultimately aiding Superman.
Her other notable film credits include:
- "W.C. Fields and Me" (1976), where she played Carlotta Monti, W.C. Fields' mistress.
- "The Electric Horseman" (1979), portraying Charlotta Steele, the soon-to-be ex-wife of Robert Redford's character.
- "The Magician of Lublin" (1979).
- "The Border" (1982), in which she starred alongside Jack Nicholson.
- "What Women Want" (2000), where she had a small role as an office assistant.
- "Water" (1985).
Perrine's appearance in the 1980 film "Can’t Stop the Music," playing a newly retired supermodel in a movie about the Village People, resulted in a Razzie Award nomination. She later expressed regret over her involvement in the film, suggesting it negatively affected her career and led her to relocate to Europe out of embarrassment.
Her television work encompassed the NBC miniseries "The Secrets of Lake Success," the sitcom "Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills," and guest appearances on series such as "Homicide: Life on the Street," "Northern Exposure," "ER," "Nash Bridges," "The Practice," "Just Shoot Me!", and "Third Watch."
Health Challenges and Later Life
Perrine was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2015, a condition that impacted her mobility, eating, and speech. Prior to her diagnosis, she had battled essential tremors for over a decade. Her experience with the disease was described by some sources as a fight lasting over 15 years.
She underwent various treatments, including brain surgery, with limited success. In 2017, she received financial assistance from a nonprofit for dental surgery, necessitated by medication-induced tooth brittleness.
Filmmaker Stacey Souther directed "Valerie," a documentary that premiered in 2019 or 2020, detailing Perrine's career and her journey with Parkinson's disease. Souther also acted as a caregiver for Perrine and her brother.
Perrine never married or had children. She is survived by her brother, Kenneth Perrine, who also lives with Parkinson's disease.
Following her death, Stacey Souther announced a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral expenses, stating Perrine's wish to be buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery and citing her exhausted finances.