Valerie Perrine, the actress beloved by fans as Eve Teschmacher in the classic Superman films, passed away Monday at her home in Beverly Hills. She was 82, and had been living with Parkinson’s disease since her diagnosis in 2015.
Though Perrine had a distinguished career — including an Oscar nomination for “Lenny” and a best actress award at Cannes — it was her role alongside Gene Hackman and Christopher Reeve in “Superman: The Movie” (1978) and its 1980 sequel that cemented her place in pop culture history. As Lex Luthor’s seductive but warm-hearted assistant, she became a fan favorite, and by her own account spent decades being greeted by admirers bellowing “Miss Teschmacher!” wherever she went. Her character’s arc was a memorable one: conspiring with Luthor, yet ultimately rescuing the Man of Steel from his trap in exchange for a promise to save her mother.
After more than fifteen years battling Parkinson’s, which gradually took her mobility and her ability to eat and speak, Perrine’s finances were exhausted by medical costs. Her final wish is to be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help make that wish a reality. Friends and fans are encouraged to donate and share the GoFundMe page to ensure this Hollywood icon receives the farewell she deserves.
My thoughts go to her family and friends.
Ms. Perrine will be missed. A tremendous talent. Thank you for posting the GoFundMe link.