American Actress Valerie Perrine, Known for 1970s Film Roles, Dies at 82

American actress Valerie Perrine has passed away at age 82. The performer, recognized for her work in 1970s cinema, died on Monday. A friend confirmed her death and noted she had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2015. Born in Texas in 1943, Perrine left college to pursue dancing and showgirl work in Las Vegas. Her appearance brought early attention, including a 1972 Playboy magazine feature that led to her casting in the film adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's novel "Slaughterhouse-Five." In 1973, she became the first woman to appear nude on American television during a broadcast of the play "Steambath." Her performance opposite Dustin Hoffman in the 1974 biographical drama "Lenny" earned her the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival, the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer, and an Academy Award nomination. Other notable film credits include "The Electric Horseman" with Robert Redford and "The Last American Hero" featuring Jeff Bridges. Between 1978 and 1980, she portrayed Eve Teschmacher, secretary to Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor, in "Superman" and its sequel. Perrine stated that her career suffered after appearing in the poorly received musical "Can't Stop the Music," which was among the films that inspired the creation of the Razzie Awards in 1981. She had not acted for approximately a decade due to her health condition. Her final significant role was in the 2000 comedy "What Women Want."