Valerie Perrine Dies: ‘Superman’ & ‘Lenny’ Actress Was 82

Valerie Perrine, the actress known for her roles in “Superman” and “Slaughterhouse-Five,” died Monday at her home in Beverly Hills, California, after a 15-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was 82.

Perrine’s death was announced by friend Stacey Souther on Facebook, as reported by Page Six and the Daily Mail. Souther described Perrine as facing the disease with “incredible courage and compassion,” and has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses.

Born in Galveston, Texas, in 1943, Perrine began her career as a showgirl in Las Vegas in 1968. Her transition to film began in 1972 with a role as Montana Wildhack in George Roy Hill’s adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five.” “That’s how I became an actress,” Perrine recalled in a 2025 interview.

While often cast in roles emphasizing her physical appearance, Perrine earned critical acclaim for her performance as Honey Bruce, the wife of Lenny Bruce, in the 1974 film “Lenny,” starring Dustin Hoffman. The role garnered her an Oscar nomination and recognition at the Cannes Film Festival.

Perrine achieved widespread recognition playing Eve Teschmacher, the romantic interest of Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) in the 1978 and 1980 “Superman” films. Her portrayal of the character became iconic for fans of the superhero franchise.

Later in her career, Perrine continued to work in television, including appearances on “Homicide: Life on the Street,” where she played an ex-girlfriend of Detective John Munch. She was also the subject of the 2020 short documentary “Valerie,” which chronicled her life and her struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the disease had significantly impacted Perrine’s ability to eat and speak in recent years. She is survived by a brother who has also been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.