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By Jenna Sundel
News Reporter
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Valerie Perrine, an Oscar-nominated actress who starred in films like Superman, died at 82, Deadline reported, citing confirmation from representatives.
Valerie Perrine Net Worth
Perrine’s net worth was estimated at between $2 million and $5 million, according to celebrity wealth-tracking sites, though exact figures were never publicly disclosed. One commonly cited estimate from RichestLifestyle, which tracks celebrity earnings and assets, put Perrine’s net worth at approximately $5 million in September 2025, based on her film career, residuals and other income.
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However, Nels Van Patten, a former boyfriend and close friend of Perrine, told The Hollywood Reporter in 2023, "She doesn’t have any money.”
Perrine sold her home in Sherman Oaks after a series of bad business decisions cost her millions, according to the outlet.
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Who Was Valerie Perrine?
Perrine was born on September 3, 1943, in Galveston, Texas. Perrine spent much of her childhood moving due to her father’s career in the U.S. Army. She worked as a Las Vegas showgirl before being discovered by filmmakers in the late 1960s, an experience that helped launch her acting career.
Perrine was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Honey Bruce in Bob Fosse’s 1974 biopic Lenny. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe for the role and won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival.
She earned more fame with her performance as Eve Teschmacher, the assistant to Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor, in Richard Donner’s Superman (1978). She reprised the role in Superman II (1980).
She publicly discussed living with Parkinson’s disease later in life. She was the focus of a recent documentary that explored her career, health challenges and lasting effect on Hollywood. Perrine never married and had no children.
What Movies Did Valerie Perrine Star In?
Perrine's film career included Slaughterhouse-Five, The Electric Horseman, W.C. Fields and Me, and Can’t Stop the Music. She also starred in multiple television projects, including the PBS production Steambath.
When Did Valerie Perrine Play Eve Teschmacher in 'Superman'?
Perrine played Eve Teschmacher in Superman, which premiered in 1978. She reprised the role in the 1980 film Superman II. The character was not featured in the original comic books, but Eve Teschmacher became a memorable part of the Superman franchise.
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Update 3/23/26, 5:50 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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