Valerie Perrine, a celebrated actress best known for her roles in Superman and Lenny, died on Monday morning at the age of 82. Her passing was confirmed by Stacey Souther, director of the documentary Valerie, which chronicled Perrine's battle with Parkinson's disease.
Key Takeaways
Actress Valerie Perrine, known for her roles in 'Superman' and 'Lenny,' has died at age 82 after battling Parkinson's disease for over 15 years. Her longtime friend Stacey Souther confirmed her passing on social media, describing Perrine as an inspiration who lived life to the fullest. A GoFundMe campaign aims to cover funeral costs and fulfill her wish to be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood Hills.
The news of her death was shared on social media by Souther, who described Perrine as a true inspiration who lived life to the fullest. According to multiple reports, Perrine faced Parkinson's disease for over 15 years and had exhausted her finances due to medical expenses. A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover her funeral costs and fulfill her final wish of being laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood Hills.
Perrine began her career as a Las Vegas showgirl before transitioning into acting. She gained recognition for her role as Honey Harlow, the wife of Lenny Bruce (played by Dustin Hoffman), in Bob Fosse's 1974 biopic Lenny. Her performance earned her an Oscar nomination and the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival.
She also became well-known for her portrayal of Eve Teschmacher, Lex Luthor's secretary and love interest, in the 1978 film Superman starring Christopher Reeve. Perrine reprised this role in the sequel Superman II, released in 1980.
According to Fox News, Perrine was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2015. A crowdfunding campaign initiated by Souther in 2023 raised more than $95,000 after she lost the ability to walk. In her obituary, Souther asked fans to consider donating, sharing, and helping spread the word for her funeral.
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