The official cause of death for actress Valerie Perrine has been confirmed several months after the beloved Hollywood star passed away at the age of 82.
According to her death certificate, Perrine died from acute cardiopulmonary arrest. The document also identifies Parkinson’s disease as the underlying cause of her death, while dementia was listed as a contributing condition. Perrine had publicly revealed her Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2015 after years of experiencing unexplained symptoms.
The actress, best known for portraying Eve Teschmacher, the loyal assistant to Lex Luthor in the original Superman films starring Christopher Reeve, died peacefully at her Beverly Hills home on March 23.
News of her passing was shared by her longtime friend and caretaker, Stacey Souther, who paid tribute to Perrine’s strength and positive spirit throughout her battle with Parkinson’s disease.
In his heartfelt message, Souther described Perrine as someone who faced her illness with remarkable courage and kindness, never allowing it to diminish her love for life. He said the world had become a less beautiful place without her and remembered her as an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
Souther also organized a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Perrine’s funeral expenses. In the campaign description, he revealed that the actress passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, exactly as she had wished.
Supporters quickly rallied behind the campaign, helping it reach its $50,000 fundraising goal in early April. Thanks to those contributions, Perrine’s final wish of being laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Southern California was fulfilled.
Following the successful fundraiser, Souther expressed his gratitude to everyone who donated, shared the campaign, or offered support. He said the overwhelming kindness shown by fans and friends would have deeply touched the actress.
Before becoming a respected film and television actress, Perrine worked as a showgirl in Las Vegas. She made her film debut in the 1972 adaptation of Slaughterhouse-Five before earning widespread acclaim just two years later for her performance opposite Dustin Hoffman in Lenny. Her role in the film earned her an Academy Award nomination and established her as one of Hollywood’s rising talents.
Throughout her career, Perrine appeared in a wide range of popular films, including The Cannonball Run, The Electric Horseman, 54, and What Women Want. Television audiences also recognized her from appearances in As the World Turns, ER, Northern Exposure, Homicide: Life on the Street, Just Shoot Me, and Lights Out.
Her final on-screen appearance came in the 2015 comedy-drama Silver Skies. Soon afterward, she stepped away from acting following her Parkinson’s diagnosis.
In a 2025 interview with Parkinson’s Europe, Perrine reflected on the first signs of the disease. She recalled noticing an unusual tremor while filming a movie scene that required her to carry dishes. At first, she believed the shaking was simply an essential tremor, but years later doctors confirmed she had Parkinson’s disease.
Despite the diagnosis, Perrine remained optimistic about life. She explained that a combination of medication, medical marijuana, and deep brain stimulation treatments helped her manage the condition.
She also shared the philosophy that guided her through life’s challenges, saying she preferred to focus on the present rather than worry about the future. According to Perrine, living one day at a time was something Parkinson’s disease never took away from her.
Valerie Perrine leaves behind a lasting legacy through her memorable performances on both the big and small screen. Her resilience in the face of illness, along with her unforgettable roles in classic Hollywood films, ensured she remained admired by generations of movie fans.