Valerie Perrine, Sparky Actor of Superman and Lenny Fame, Passes Away at 82
The actor Valerie Perrine, celebrated for her roles in classics such as Superman and Lenny, has died at the age of 82 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. Known for her blissful unselfconsciousness and untrained talent, Perrine carved a unique path in Hollywood, often embracing her sexuality with wit and skill.
Early Career and Breakthrough Roles
Perrine made her screen debut in 1972 as Montana Wildhack in the film adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five, claiming she had never read a script before. Despite early roles emphasizing nudity, such as in the television play Steambath (1973), she quickly proved herself more than mere eye candy. In 1974, she delivered an impressively raw performance as Honey, the stripper wife of Lenny Bruce in Lenny, earning an Oscar nomination and the Cannes Film Festival's best actress prize. Director Bob Fosse praised her as "the best actress I've ever worked with."
Iconic Role in Superman and Later Work
Perrine's most famous role came as Eve Teschmacher, the sparky moll to Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and its sequel Superman II (1981). Her character's witty irreverence and eventual heroism, including saving Superman from Kryptonite, made her a fan favorite. She later starred in films like The Electric Horseman (1979) with Robert Redford, but her career faced setbacks after the flop Can't Stop the Music (1980). Despite this, she continued working in projects such as The Border (1982) and Water (1985), showcasing her joie de vivre.
Personal Life and Legacy
Born in Galveston, Texas, and raised partly in Japan, Perrine dropped out of university to become a dancer in Las Vegas, where she earned high pay but faced personal tragedies, including the death of her partner Bill Haarman. She was known for her irreverent attitude, epitomized by her personalized license plate "RATS 1." In later years, she battled Parkinson's, documented in the short film Valerie (2019). Perrine is survived by her brother Kenneth, leaving behind a legacy of fearless performances and a down-to-earth spirit that defied Hollywood norms.
