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"I don't know anything about Chavanasky, or whatever you call him. I really don't think about anything until I get on the set." Valerie Ritchie Perrine is, perhaps, one of the most fascinating retired actresses in Hollywood. While she is known for her work on screen, Perrine always had something fascinating to say during interviews between her work. Perrine has starred in every kind of project that Hollywood makes, and she has been rewarded handsomely for it over the years.

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With a fascinating backstory that began as a showgirl in Las Vegas, Perrine's unlikely ascent to Hollywood royalty is worthy of a story itself. Despite being retired, Perrine has already done more than enough to cement her place in Hollywood lore. 

From Texas to Vegas

Valerie Perrine was born on September 3, 1943, in Galveston, TX. Perrine was born to parents Winfred 'Renee' Perrine and Kenneth Perrine. Valerie's mother was a dancer who had appeared in the program, Earl Carroll's Vanities, which is likely where Valerie got her own outgoing nature. Kenneth was the opposite of a dancer as he was a serious man who had served as a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army.  Due to her father's career, Valerie and the rest of her family were almost always on the move. A true army brat, Perrine never got to live in one place for too long.

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As a child, Perrine spent time in Japan where she lived in a convent. She also lived in both Rome and Paris. While she was a smart and excitable child, Perrine was almost always bored while at school. She tried to attend college in order to pursue a degree in Psychology, but Perrine was quick to realize that routine was not for her. Instead, Perrine dropped out of college in order to move to Las Vegas. While in Las Vegas, Perrine decided to pursue a career in dancing in order to capitalize on her good looks, skills, and outgoing nature. 

When Valerie Perrine packed her bags and went off to Vegas, not even she could have guessed how her life was about to change. While at a dinner party in Los Angeles, a casting agent had talked to her about acting. Before she knew it, a new career path was opening up to her.

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Thank You, Kurt Vonnegut 

Without a second of acting training behind her, Perrine was suddenly thrust into the world of acting. Perrine was brought in to audition for the film adaptation of the famous novel by Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five (1972). Perrine was auditioning for the role of Montana Wildhack, ain in-universe actress who performs in adult films. Perrine would land the role, likely due in part to her work as a showgirl, and the rest of her life would be changed forever as a result. 

After securing her major breakthrough in Slaughterhouse-Five, Perrine would be quick to capitalize on her sudden industry interest. Perrine would go on to appear in a string of made-for-TV movies, including The Couple Takes a Wife (1972), Lady Luck (1973), and Steambath (1973). Perrine would then land a supporting role in The Last American Hero as the character Marge. While Perrine was busy, her work still wasn't living up to any noticeable standard. To this point in time, Perrine was still coasting on her looks. The question that remained, however, was this: could Valerie Perrine actually carry a film?

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Ultimately, Valerie Perrine would answer the call when she was cast in the film, Lenny (1974) as the character Honey Bruce. The film centered on a comedian named Lenny Bruce as well as his wife, Honey Bruce. The film was a commercial and critical success. Perrine would earn rave reviews for her work on the project, and she would land an Academy Award nomination as well as a Golden Globe nomination. Perrine would also win the Best Actress Award at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival.

With critical success to her name, Perrine was free to pursue work in whichever direction that it would take her. Perrine would land perhaps her most memorable role in 1978 when she was cast as Eve Teschmacher in Superman. Perrine would reprise the character in Superman II (1980). Eve operated as the right-hand of the infamous supervillain, Lex Luthor. Perrine would earn a Saturn Award nomination for her work in the films.

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While the bulk of Perrine's stardom dates back to the '80s, she still stayed busy in the industry. Perrine would play across Robert Redford in the 1979 film, The Electric Horseman. She would also get a Razzie Award for her work in Can't Stop the Music (1980). Despite the ironic award, Can't Stop the Music has turned into something of a cult classic. In the intervening years, Perrine has turned into a semi-regular on television. She has appeared in ER, Nash Bridges, and Grounded For Life. Unfortunately, Perrine had to retire from the acting world after it came out that she was suffering from Parkinson's Disease. Perrine officially left the industry in 2017.