Valerie Perrine, the former Las Vegas showgirl who became an Oscar-nominated actress, has died at the age of 82 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Her passing was confirmed by close friend Stacey Souther, director of the 2019 documentary Valerie, which chronicled her health struggles. “She faced Parkinson’s with incredible courage and compassion, never once complaining,” Souther wrote. “She lived life to the fullest, and the world feels less beautiful without her.”
Souther also revealed that Perrine’s final wish was to be laid to rest at Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn Cemetery after more than 15 years battling the disease. Born in Galveston, Texas, Perrine spent much of her childhood moving due to her father’s military career. She eventually found her way to Las Vegas, where she became a lead performer in the famed Lido de Paris show at the Stardust Hotel, performing up to 12 shows a week.....