Actress Valerie Perrine, who played Lex Luthor’s love interest Eve Teschmacher in the Superman films, has died at age 82.
Perrine’s partner Stacey Souther announced the loss online, stating on a GoFundMe that she died at her home ‘surrounded by love’ on March 23 after waging ‘a quiet, courageous battle against both Parkinson’s disease and debilitating central tremors.’
‘It is with deep sadness that I share the heartbreaking news that Valerie has passed away,’ he wrote on her social media accounts. ‘She faced Parkinson’s disease with incredible courage and compassion, never once complaining.
‘She was a true inspiration who lived life to the fullest—and what a magnificent life it was. The world feels less beautiful without her in it.
‘I love you, Valerie. I’ll see you on the other side.’
Souther created a GoFundMe to help fulfill Perrine’s last wish of being buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park after she exhausted her finances during her health battle.
Actress Valerie Perrine, who played Lex Luthor’s love interest Eve Teschmacher in the Superman films, has died at age 82
Perrine played Lex Luthor’s (played by Gene Hackman) love interest in the Superman films
Perrine with Christopher Reeves in 1978’s Superman
In the last 15 years, she developed Parkinson’s disease, which stopped her from acting
‘Please consider donating, sharing, and helping spread the word for her funeral GoFundMe. Her final wish is to be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery, but after more than 15 years of fighting Parkinson’s, her finances are exhausted. Let’s come together to make her last wish a reality—she truly deserves it.’
The fundraiser lays bare Perrine’s health battle within the last 15 years.
‘Around 2011, Valerie began experiencing the first signs of essential tremors; involuntary shaking that slowly began to steal the very instrument she’d built her life around: her body, her presence, her ability to perform. She laughed it off in public. But behind closed doors, the reality was devastating,’ the GoFundMe read.
‘The tremors were accompanied by the relentless progression of Parkinson’s disease. The career that had defined her life was no longer possible.
‘As roles dried up, so did the financial security that should have come with a lifetime of extraordinary work. Valerie spent what she had on medical care, determined to fight. She fought for fifteen years. She never complained. She kept smiling.’
In the original Superman and it’s sequel, Superman II, Perrine played Lex Luthor’s personal assistant Eve Teschmacher.
Luthor was played by Gene Hackman and when the actor passed last year at age 95, Perrine paid her respects.
‘The great Gene Hackman has passed away,’ she posted on social media. ‘He was a genius & 1 of the greatest to grace the silver screen. I had the honor of working with Him on Superman. His performances are legendary. His talent will be missed. Goodbye my sweet Lex Till we meet again. Valerie.’
Perrine also shared the spotlight with the late Christopher Reeves, coming to Superman’s rescue in the first film.
Perrine with Steve Guttenberg and Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce Jenner, in 1980’s Can’t Stop the Music
Perrine pictured at Spago in West Hollywood in 1986
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