Superman Star Valerie Perrine’s Cause of Death Finally Confirmed
Oscar-nominated Superman star Valerie Perrine died of sudden cardiac arrest, with Parkinson’s disease listed as the underlying cause, according to her death certificate.
Valerie Perrine, the scene-stealer who gave Lex Luthor a conscience as Eve Teschmacher in the Christopher Reeve Superman films, has died at 82 after a long fight with Parkinson's disease. Her friend and caretaker Stacey Souther shared the news on March 23. Now we also have the official cause of death.
Update: Cause of death
On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 5:25 p.m. ET, People reported details from Perrine's death certificate. It lists acute cardiopulmonary arrest ( sudden cardiac arrest) as the immediate cause. Parkinson's disease, which she was diagnosed with in 2015, is the underlying cause, and dementia is noted as a contributing factor.
The announcement
Souther posted the news on Facebook, sharing it to both their pages. She described Perrine as someone who met Parkinson's with real grace and never complained, and she thanked fans for the support. The initial message was simple and gutting:
"It is with deep sadness that I share the heartbreaking news that Valerie has passed away."
Career rewind
Perrine started out as a Las Vegas showgirl before jumping to film and TV in the 1970s. She earned an Oscar nomination for playing Honey, the troubled wife of Lenny Bruce (Dustin Hoffman), in Bob Fosse's 1974 drama Lenny. A few years later, she became pop-culture famous as Eve Teschmacher in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980). Her final screen credit was the 2016 indie Silver Skies.
The life stuff they make documentaries about
- In January 1969, her fiance, Bill Haarman — an importer and gun collector — died in an accident one month before their wedding.
- She briefly dated celebrity hairdresser Jay Sebring. He was murdered by Charles Manson's followers at Sharon Tate's home in August 1969. Perrine had been invited that night but was working and did not go.
- At 32, she survived a plane crash.
- Health-wise, Souther says Perrine first showed signs of essential tremors in 2011 and was officially diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2015. The disease also affects her brother, Ken Perrine.
Family, friends, and her final wish
Ken Perrine called his sister's life extraordinary and said she fought to the end. He asked fans to help fulfill her last request. Souther, who had been by Valerie's side for years, shared a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs and to, as she put it, get the word out about services. The goal: lay Valerie to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery. After more than 15 years dealing with Parkinson's, the finances just were not there, so friends are asking fans to help make that final wish happen.