Fans of As the World Turns recall movie star Valerie Perrine’s turn as Delores Pierce from 1998 to 1999. Sadly, Perrine died today in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 82 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease.
RIP Valerie Perrine, from Galveston to Krypton to Oakdale, As the World Turns
“She knew it was the restricted corner where the industry would inevitably place her, and leaped at the chance to work,” Corley added. “Everyone found her delightful, generous, disciplined*. RIP.”
Perrine, born in Galveston, Texas, began her career as a model and was primarily known for her work on the big screen, having been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress for playing Honey Bruce in the Bob Fosse-directed film Lenny, which starred Dustin Hoffman as the ground-breaking comedian. Next, she played the part of Miss Eve Teschmacher, Lex Luthor’s (Gene Hackman) girlfriend, in Superman and Superman II.
“It is with deep sadness that I share the heartbreaking news that Valerie has passed away,” announced Stacey Souther, Perrine’s friend, on Instagram. “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 respectfully requested fans of the actress donate to Perrine’s GoFundMe. “Her final wish is to be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery,” Souther wrote, “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.”
As the World Turns, Saving Superman
As Miss Teschmacher, Perrine played a key role in Superman when the Man of Steel was helpless, with a kryptonite steel chain necklace placed around him by Lex Luthor. Miss Teschmacher freed Superman (stealing a kiss from him first) after he promised to save her mother, who lived in Hackensack, New Jersey, where Lex had sent a nuclear missile.
Superman (Christopher Reeve, ex-Ben Harper, Love of Life) agreed to Miss Teschmacher’s plea, but that delayed his saving Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). That’s when the grieving hero flew around the world so furiously that he turned back time, bringing Lois back to life.
Perrine’s other credits include The Electric Horseman, which starred Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, Can’t Stop the Music, which starred the Village People, What Women Want, which starred Mel Gibson as a man who gained the power to read the minds of women. She appeared on TV in Just Shoot Me! starring David Spade and Third Watch, which starred Eddie Cibrian (ex-Matt Clark, The Young and the Restless).
