‘Riverdale’ and ‘Beverly Hills 90210’ Actor Luke Perry Passes Away After Suffering Stroke
Just days after suffering from a massive stroke, Riverdale star and Beverly Hills 90210 alum Luke Perry, 52, has passed away. His rep released the following statement:
[row]“[Perry] was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancé Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, step-father Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends. The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Luke from around the world and respectfully request privacy in this time of great mourning. No further details will be released at this time.”[/row]
After guest-starring on some TV shows, Perry’s big break in Hollywood came in 1990 when he scored the iconic role of Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills 90210. He starred as the handsome and broody bad boy throughout a majority of the series’ 10 season run. Fox had actually announced their decision to bring the series back for a six-episode revival the day before Perry suffered his stroke. Ian Ziering, along with some of Perry’s other 90210 co-stars, took to social media after the news of his hospitalization broke.
Most recently, Perry made a delightful return to teen drama TV when he booked the role of Fred Andrews on The CW’s Riverdale. He took on the fatherly role of KJ Apa’s Archie Andrews with compassion and likability and quickly became a fan-favorite thanks to his more timid and soft-spoken nature next to the rest of Riverdale’s crazy parents.
The CW along with Riverdale executive producers Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Jon Goldwater gave the following statement on social media.
A statement from Riverdale’s executive producers, Warner Bros., and The CW. pic.twitter.com/k7qJSWvbbk
— CW Network (@TheCW) March 4, 2019
While it’s uncertain what will happen with his character on the series, fans will be able to see Perry posthumously in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The film will follow Leonardo Dicaprio as Rick Dalton, the former star of a western TV series, and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) as they both struggle to find fame and success in Hollywood’s Golden Age in 1969 Los Angeles. Perry will be playing Scott Lancer, the main character in the CBS series Lancer. The real-life actor who played him was Wayne Maunder.
After the news of his passing was confirmed, celebrities came out in droves on Twitter to share their stories and reflect on the wonderful man and actor that Perry was.
Luke Perry was a great actor and truly one of a kind. Watching him on 90210 was one of the reasons why I wanted to move to LA. Thinking of his family and friends on and off the set. Rest in peace.
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) March 4, 2019
When I was lucky enough to work with Luke Perry I told him about the pillow of his face I used to sleep with and he yelled “You are such a weirdo!” at me and it was the best. Sending love to his friends and family.
— Leslie Grossman (@MissLeslieG) March 4, 2019
My heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family. ❤️ #LukePerry
— Molly Ringwald (@MollyRingwald) March 4, 2019
Rest Luke — the way you always treated me (and anyone I ever introduced you to, no matter how much they screamed and squealed with joy and excitement) — in peace. #RIPLukePerry
Cherish every moment. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/Cgd9qeVKRX
— Donnie Wahlberg (@DonnieWahlberg) March 4, 2019
Luke Perry – Irreplaceable beautiful and kind human being, incredible friend, generous actor and adoring father to Jack and Sophie and loving partner to Madison we are all heartbroken. You are the love and you are the light. pic.twitter.com/X3ycTvmXsb
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) March 4, 2019
L.P.
you
made every
situation better,
my man.your
elegance
your wit
your charm
and
your giant heart,
inspired and
enchanted so many
of us,
on countless
occasions,
with brilliant aplomb.R.I.P good sir.
i am
truly honored
to have known you
all of these years.©️
❤️
— Charlie Sheen (@charliesheen) March 4, 2019
Our thoughts go out to Perry’s family and Riverdale TV family during this time.
Having studied Media & Writing at James Madison University, I always knew that I wanted to do some type of creative writing, but being able to write about zombies, Starks, and superheroes on a daily basis for Fan Fest is my actual dream. While I probably shouldn’t be as proud as I am to be so similar to Nick Miller, I do hope to one day write my own “Pepperwood Chronicles’.