Superman actor Valerie Perrine, pictured in 2013, has died at 82 after battling Parkison's. Photo / Getty Images
Superman actor Valerie Perrine has died at the age of 82.
The star – who played Eve Teschmacher, the personal assistant and love interest of Lex Luthor, in the superhero films – died at her home in Beverly Hills, California, this week after a battle with Parkinson’s, which she was diagnosed with in 2015.
Her longtime partner, Stacey Souther, told the Hollywood Reporter: “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.”
Souther cared for Perrine as the disease progressed – which eventually took away her mobility, as well as the actor’s ability to eat and talk.
A GoFundMe crowdfunder was set up to cover Perrine’s medical costs, but now donations will go towards giving her “the farewell she deserves” and honouring her wish of being buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills.
The page’s description included a message from Perrine’s brother Ken – who is also fighting a battle with Parkinson’s.
He said: “I am devastated by the loss of my amazing sister Valerie this morning. She lived an extraordinary life most us can only dream of.
“She will be missed by everyone that knew her, and especially her loving fans. She fought till the end and never gave up.
“Thank you all for the kind support over the years. I appreciate all the love you have given her. Please donate and share so we can make her final wish come true.”
Tributes have poured in for Perrine from across social media, as one fan on Facebook penned: “She was beautiful in her youth and an incredibly talented actress.
“Her later years I understand were very tough, but she always faced her challenges with grace and good humour.
“Holding her in love and light.”
A supporter on Instagram typed: “Rest in peace Valerie Perrine. She will always be remembered as Miss Tessmacher.”
And a follower on X wrote: “She was fabulous. Rest in peace.”
Born in Galveston, Texas, on September 3, 1943, Perrine had briefly studied psychology at the University of Arizona, but she quit her studies to become a showgirl in Lido de Paris at Stardust Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
While living in Las Vegas, she got engaged to Bill Haarman, a gun collector and importer, but he died in a gun accident in January 1969 – a month before their nuptials.
Perrine then left Las Vegas and had a romance with Hollywood hair stylist Jay Sebring – who was murdered alongside five other people by the Manson Family in actor Sharon Tate’s home in August 1969.
After Perrine moved to Los Angeles and caught the attention of casting agent Robert Walker, she went on to star in many Hollywood blockbusters and TV shows.
She starred as Marge, the love interest of Junior Johnson (Jeff Bridges) in the 1973 sports-action film The Last American Hero.
In May that year, Perrine became the first actor to show off her breasts on American Network Television, during the broadcast of Steambath.
Her breakout role came as Honey Bruce in the 1974 drama-comedy movie Lenny and she scooped up the Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles Bafta gong, as well as the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress.
Perrine was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress, but she lost out to Ellen Burstyn for the romance-comedy film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In 1979, she played Charlotta, the ex-lover of Robert Redford‘s character Norman “Sonny” Steele in the western-romance movie The Electric Horseman.
A year later, she portrayed Samantha in the musical-comedy flick Can’t Stop the Music, which also starred The Village People and Caitlyn Jenner.
The film inspired the Worst Picture Golden Raspberry Award show (The Razzies).
Speaking about Can’t Stop the Music, Perrine later said: “It ruined my career – I moved to Europe after, I was so embarrassed.”
The star played Eve Teschmacher in Superman (1978), where she conspired with Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) but, ultimately, saved the Man of Steel (Christopher Reeve) from the villain’s trap in return for a vow to save her mum.
In the 1980 sequel, Teschmacher helped the evil Luthor escape from jail.
Away from the big screen, Perrine graced the pages of Playboy magazine.