Legendary Actress, Valerie Perrine Passes Away at 82 After Facing Parkinsons

By:Shay Hobbs
Valerie Perrine and Gene Hackman from Superman II dressed in winter clothing look upwards. The woman wears a fluffy red outfit, and the man sports ski goggles and a black jacket.

Screen actress Valerie Perrine passed away on March 23, 2026, at the age of 82. She fought Parkinson’s disease after being diagnosed in 2015. Her most notable work on the silver screen was as Eve Teschmacher, the girlfriend of the villain, Lex Luthor, in “Superman the Movie (1978)” and “Superman 2 (1980).”

Valerie Perrine – Actress With Brains

A man and woman stand side by side indoors. The woman, in a black outfit, looks confidently forward. The man wears a vest, tie, and fringe apron, posing humorously. "Can't Stop the Music" text at the bottom.
Valerie Perrine and Caitlyn Jenner in “Can’t Stop The Music” Courtesy of EMI Films and Allan Carr Productions via IMDb

Born in Galveston, Texas, in Sept of 1943, she was the daughter of a dancer, Winifred and Kenneth Perrine, a lieutenant colonel in the army. Her career started off as a Las Vegas showgirl in “Lido de Paris,” according to People, performing topless with heavy jewels in massive gowns. She was eventually discovered during a dinner party, where she ended up screen-testing for 1972’s “Slaughterhouse-Five.”

While her early roles involved sexuality, she didn’t see herself as a sex symbol. She claimed not to be dumb or uneducated, though she did not mind the thought of being a sex symbol.

In 1975, she was nominated for an Oscar for her role as comedian Lenny Bruce’s wife, stripper Honey Bruce, in the movie “Lenny.” Shortly after, she portrayed the role of Eve Teschmacher, girlfriend to Lex Luthor, in both “Superman: The Movie,” and returning to the role again in 1980’s “Superman II.” 

After her appearance in “Can’t Stop the Music,” a movie so ill-received it inspired the Razzie Awards, where she received a nomination for the worst actress. Despite that, Perrine continued to appear in films, starring in 1986’s “Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills” and making guest appearances on shows such as “The Practice” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.”

Facing off Parkinson’s

In 2015, Perrine was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. In 2022, Stacey Souther directed a documentary, “Valerie,” highlighting her career and how she lived her life with Parkinson’s. Having been a close friend, this was his ode to her life. While she may have had Parkinson’s disease, she faced it with courage, compassion, and without complaint.

“This film is a love letter to her, I didn’t want her to be forgotten. I wanted her life and legacy to be celebrated and shared with the world.” -Stacey Souther

It was Souther who officially announced on Facebook that Perrine had passed away, following her struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. With sorrow in his heart, he shared with a link to a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of the funeral. On the GoFundMe, it states she passed away surrounded by love as she would have wished. Despite tremors, Perrine still was passionate and is now being laid to rest. Her brother, Ken Perrine, has given his support and blessing for the fundraiser, who also happens to fight against Parkinson’s disease as well.

March 23, 2026 the world closes the curtain on the life of Valerie Perrine, but her smile and her appearance on the silver screen will not fade.

Author

  • Shay Hobbs

    When she isn't baking or writing, Shay is often found looking at useful tools for parents. Avid android enthusiast and part-time gamer, her passions lay with fact finding and unusual gadgets. Whether it is tech, games, history, the laws that bind us, cooking, or baking, Shay just can't pick one thing.

When she isn't baking or writing, Shay is often found looking at useful tools for parents. Avid android enthusiast and part-time gamer, her passions lay with fact finding and unusual gadgets. Whether it is tech, games, history, the laws that bind us, cooking, or baking, Shay just can't pick one thing.

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