Actress Valérie Perrine, 'Superman' star, dies at 82
Valérie Perrine (photo: Getty Images)
American actress Valérie Perrine, considered one of Hollywood’s most radiant stars in the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 82, according to The New York Times.
What is known about Valérie Perrine’s death
The actress died at her home in California due to complications related to Parkinson’s disease, which she was diagnosed with in 2015.
Her death was confirmed by Stacy Sauter, director of a documentary about Perrine and someone who had been close to her in recent years. Sauter had previously spoken about the actress’s long battle with the illness.
Valérie Perrine left a notable mark not only in film but also in the history of American television. She is recognized as the first actress to appear nude on American TV, in 1973, in the PBS production of Steambath. At the time, the episode caused a major public stir.
For many years, her screen image was associated with boldness and sexuality, and she is remembered as a fearless and groundbreaking performer.
Valérie Perrine (photo: Getty Images)
Perrine posed for Playboy and frequently agreed to daring scenes in films, which only strengthened her reputation as one of the most prominent stars of her time.
Her major career breakthrough came with the role of Montana Wildhack in the 1972 film Slaughterhouse-Five, an adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s novel.
Perrine later admitted that she had not planned to become an actress and entered the film industry almost by chance.
"Acting wasn’t something I pursued. I was at a small dinner party where an agent was looking for someone to play the role of Montana Wildhack, and the agent “saw something in me and thought I would be perfect for the part. That’s how I became an actress," she recalled.
Her most notable professional recognition came with the 1974 film Lenny, in which she played Honey Bruce, the wife of stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce.
The role earned her the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as nominations for the Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA.
Audiences also remember her well for playing Eve Teschmacher in the 1978 film Superman and its sequel.
Over a career spanning more than four decades, Perrine appeared in nearly 70 films and television projects. Her co-stars included Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, Jack Nicholson, and Christopher Reeve.
Valérie Perrine was born on September 3, 1943, in Galveston, Texas, into a military family.
Due to her father’s service, she spent her childhood in various locations, including Japan. After high school, she briefly attended university but later moved to Las Vegas, where she worked as a dancer in show revues.
Her personal life was also marked by tragedy. In 1969, just one month before their wedding, her fiancé Bill Haarman died.
After this loss, the actress never married. Among her closest family, she is survived by her brother Kenneth.
