Movie star Valerie Perrine has died at 82. She was a huge star in the 1970s and early 80s.
According to her close friend, filmmaker Stacy Souther, Valerie died at her Los Angeles home on March 23.
Although her cause of death wasn’t made clear, the actress had been fighting Parkinson’s disease for the past decade. She was reportedly bedridden during that time.
Valerie Perrine is dead with her cause of death unclear
Valerie starred in 1978’s Superman and 1980’s Superman II, alongside beloved movie star Christopher Reeve. She played Lex Luthor’s personal assistant Eve Teschmacher in the films. Two-time Academy Award winner Gene Hackman played the role of Superman’s nemesis Lex.
According to TMZ, Valerie and Gene remained close friends following acting in the two Superman movies together. Reportedly, Gene’s death last year took a huge toll on her.
Prior to her stint as Lex Luthor’s assistant, Valerie starred in 1974’s Lenny. She portrayed the wife of controversial comedian Lenny Bruce, Honey. For her work in the film, Valerie won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress. In addition, she won the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer and was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar.
Among her other Hollywood credits, Valerie also had roles in Walker, Texas Ranger; The Practice; Nash Bridges; and ER. According to her caregivers, the day before she died, Valerie spent the afternoon watching her old movies.
Valerie always said she wanted to be buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills. One of six Forest Lawn locations in SoCal, it is the resting place of Brittany Murphy, John Ritter, and David Carradine, among many other stars. Valerie’s loved ones have begun a GoFundMe account to pay for her funeral.
TELL US – DID YOU EVER SEE THE ORIGINAL SUPERMAN WITH CHRISTOPHER REEVE? DO YOU REMEMBER VALERIE?
