Valerie Perrine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Valerie Perrine
Perrine in Amsterdam, 1975
Born	Valerie Ritchie Perrine (1943-09-03)September 3, 1943 Galveston, Texas, U.S.
Died	March 23, 2026(2026-03-23) (aged 82) Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1971–2016

Valerie Ritchie Perrine (born September 3, 1943 – died March 23, 2026) was an American actress. She was well-known for her role as Honey Bruce in the 1974 film Lenny. For this role, she won the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles and the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress. She was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Valerie Perrine also appeared in other popular films. These included Slaughterhouse-Five (1972), Superman (1978), The Electric Horseman (1979), and Superman II (1980).

Early Life and Family

Valerie Perrine was born in Galveston, Texas, on September 3, 1943. Her mother, Winifred "Renee" McGinley, was a dancer. Her father, Kenneth I. Perrine, was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. Because her father was in the military, Valerie's family moved often. She lived in many different places as a child.

Her mother had Scottish heritage. Her father's family had a long history. They traced their ancestry back to French families who came to America a long time ago.

Valerie's Acting Career

In 1968, Valerie Perrine worked as a performer in Las Vegas. She was part of a show called "Lido de Paris" at the Stardust Resort and Casino.

After some years in Las Vegas, Valerie moved to Los Angeles. She once shared that acting wasn't something she planned. An agent saw her at a dinner party and thought she would be perfect for a role. This role was Montana Wildhack in the film Slaughterhouse-Five. This is how she started her acting journey. This part helped her become a recognized actress in Hollywood.

In 1975, Valerie Perrine received many honors for her role as Honey Bruce in the film Lenny (1974). She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe award. She also won the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival.

She played Carlotta Monti in the movie W.C. Fields and Me (1976). Carlotta Monti was the partner of famous entertainer W.C. Fields. Valerie also played Miss Eve Teschmacher, an assistant to the villain Lex Luthor, in Superman (1978). For this role, she was nominated for a Saturn Award. She played Miss Teschmacher again in Superman II (1980).

Valerie Perrine also starred as Charlotta Steele in The Electric Horseman (1979). She played the ex-wife of a rodeo champion. Later, she was nominated for a less positive award for her role in Can't Stop the Music (1980). This film later became a favorite for many fans. In 1982, she appeared in The Border with Jack Nicholson. She also starred in a TV comedy series called Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills in 1986.

In later years, Valerie took on smaller roles. She had a supporting part in the 2000 film What Women Want with Mel Gibson. She also made a guest appearance on the TV series Homicide: Life on the Street in 1995.

A documentary film called Valerie was made about her life and career. It also shared her experiences with Parkinson's disease. The film was shown at the Edmonton Film Festival in 2020.

Personal Life and Health

While living in Las Vegas, Valerie Perrine was engaged to Bill Haarman. Sadly, he passed away in an accident in January 1969.

In 1969, Valerie began dating Hollywood hair stylist Jay Sebring. He invited her to a dinner party. Valerie had to work that night and could not attend. This turned out to be a very lucky decision for her.

Health Challenges

Valerie Perrine was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2015. This is a condition that affects movement. She had dental surgery in 2017 because her teeth were affected by the medicines she took for her illness.

Valerie Perrine passed away at her home in Beverly Hills on March 23, 2026. She was 82 years old.

Film Roles

Television Appearances

Awards and Recognitions

See also

In Spanish: Valerie Perrine para niños