Through it all, Valerie lived Hollywood to the fullest. According to her longtime friend and former boyfriend Nels Van Patten, the star actress would host “an army of beautiful women” at her legendary pool parties and lunches at her Sherman Oaks estate.
The guest list read like a who’s who of entertainment royalty: Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, Jacqueline Bisset — anyone who was anyone in Hollywood made their way to Perrine’s parties. When asked by The Hollywood Reporter what made her parties special, Valerie quipped, “Cocaine.”
Could have been murdered
But Valerie Perrine’s life wasn’t just glitz and glamour — she survived near-death moments too. In 1969, she was dating Hollywood hairstylist Jay Sebring.
One night, he invited her to a dinner party in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles. Valerie managed to found someone to work for her that night, but at the last minute that person got sick, and she had to show up for work.
That party turned out to be the night the Manson Family brutally murdered six people, including Sebring and Sharon Tate. Had her replacement shown up, Valerie Perrine might have been another victim of that horrific night.
Years of dancing and acting also took a toll on her body. “I remember the doctor saying her body had the wear and tear of an NFL player,” said director Stacey Souther, who has cared for Perrine for years.
She underwent spinal surgery, leaving her in recovery for months.
Battling Parkinson’s
In 2015, Valerie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Her health challenges began as early as 2011 with essential tremors, first noticed on a film set when a sound engineer asked her not to shake a coffee cup during multiple takes. “I first noticed I had a tremor on a movie set… It took a while to figure out what I had,” Perrine recalls.
Her brother, a neurological specialist, adds, “Essential tremors only come out when you’re using your arms or legs, but then she was visiting here for Christmas one year… with horror, I saw a resting tremor with her hand in her lap. That was the beginning of the whole downward spiral.”
Perrine has faced these challenges with remarkable resilience. “I’ve always lived in the moment. I don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. I try to live for today, and Parkinson’s hasn’t changed that,” she says.
Medications, deep brain stimulation, and even marijuana have helped her maintain her quality of life, she says.
Valerie Perrine today
Valerie Perrine’s life has been extraordinary: a dance from Las Vegas showgirl to Hollywood legend, survival against all odds, and a career that remains unforgettable.
Now, at 82, she continues to inspire with her resilience, charisma, and legendary spirit. According to recent reports, Valerie Perrine still lives in Beverly Hills, California, and she seems to keep her Facebook page fairly active despite the health challenges she’s faced in recent years.
Not long ago, she shared a photo that delighted many fans, posing alongside English actress Sarah Douglas, best known for her role as Ursa in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980).
Thank you, Valerie, for all the unforgettable memories and iconic performances over the years. You are truly a part of Hollywood history — and it’s wonderful to see you still going strong! Share this article with your friends if you remember this legendary star too!