Valerie Perrine, the former Las Vegas showgirl who rose to international fame and earned an Academy Award nomination, has died at the age of 82. She passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, according to her close friend, filmmaker Stacey Souther. He described her as courageous, compassionate, and full of life until the very end.

Before becoming a recognizable Hollywood figure, Perrine built her early career on the vibrant stages of Las Vegas. Born in Galveston, she spent part of her childhood abroad in places like Paris and Japan due to her father’s military career. She later became a dancer in the famous Lido de Paris show at the Stardust Hotel, where demanding performances helped shape the bold and confident presence she carried into acting.

Her breakthrough came in 1974 with the film Lenny, where she starred opposite Dustin Hoffman. Playing Honey Harlow, the wife of comedian Lenny Bruce, Perrine earned widespread acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination, a BAFTA award, and Best Actress honors at the Cannes Film Festival. The role established her as a powerful dramatic actress.

She later became a pop culture favorite for her role as Eve Teschmacher in Superman and its sequel, starring alongside Gene Hackman and Christopher Reeve. In her later years, her life and struggle with illness were documented in the 2019 film Valerie. Despite health challenges, she remained known for her wit and resilience, leaving behind a legacy defined by bold choices, charisma, and an enduring impact on Hollywood. READ MORE BELOW