Luke Perry, ‘90210’ and ‘Riverdale’ star is dead at 52
He was one of Hollywood’s original teen heart-throbs. Tributes are flowing for Luke Perry, best-known for playing Dylan McKay on ’90s teen drama 90210, who died after a massive stroke.
Production on teen drama Riverdale has been shutdown temporarily after the shock death of star Luke Perry.
The Hollywood actor — who rose to fame in the ’90s playing bad boy Dylan McKay on teen drama 90210 — died after suffering a massive stroke, his publicist has confirmed. He was 52.
Perry, who starred as Fred Andrews on Riverdale, had been in a Los Angeles hospital since last Wednesday, where he was in an induced coma.
In a statement, Perry’s heartbroken family said it “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”.
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His children, Jake, 21, and Sophie, 18, his ex-wife, Minnie Sharp, and his fiance, therapist Wendy Madison Bauer, were with him when he passed away, his rep said.
Prior to his stroke Perry was said to be experiencing bad back problems, which had to be surgically fixed, according to the actor’s neighbour.
Hollywood is in shock over Perry’s death, with his Once Upon a Time In Hollywood co-star Leonardo DiCaprio — who described Perry as “kindhearted and incredibly talented” among those mourning.
Luke Perry was a kindhearted and incredibly talented artist. It was an honor to be able to work with him. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his loved ones.
— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) 4 March 2019
In 2015, Perry suffered a health scare when precancerous growths were found during a colonoscopy, prompting the actor to speak out about checking for colorectal cancer.
“When I heard that this was the most detectable cancer that we know of yet it’s the second most lethal, I just couldn’t figure out why that was and I wanted to get out there and tell people about it.” Perry said at the time.
‘GIANT HEART’: HOLLYWOOD REACTS
Hollywood stars have paid tribute to Perry including the cast and crew of his current TV show, popular Netflix teen drama Riverdale.
In a joint statement, Riverdale executive producers Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Jon Goldwater, as well Warner Bros. and The CW described Perry as a “father figure”.
“We are deeply saddened to learn today about the passing of Luke Perry,” the statement said.
“A beloved member of the Riverdale, Warner Bros. and CW family, Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all.
“A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness. Our thoughts are with Luke’s family during this most difficult time.”
Dearest Luke,
— Ian Ziering (@IanZiering) March 4, 2019
I will forever bask in the loving memories we've shared over the last thirty years. May your journey forward be enriched by the magnificent souls who have passed before you, just like you have done here, for those you leave behind.
Dearest Luke- I am so heart broken and at a loss for words. You my friend were a mighty soul and have left your mark. My love and prayers to the family and all who loved you. RIP
— Gabrielle Carteris (@TheGabrielle_C) 4 March 2019
The first time I met Luke Perry we talked about what kind of movie we wanted “Buffy†to be. I asked if he’d ever seen “Near Dark†and he gave me a look of HOW DARE YOU SIR and I knew we’d get along. Funny, committed, and always gracious. He shouldn’t be gone.
— Joss Whedon (@joss) March 4, 2019
Luke Perry... you were a joyful and vibrant soul. You will be missed but most certainly your legacy will be remembered forever. Rest in love and peace, friend. #Riverdale
— Riverdale Writers Room (@RiverdaleWriter) 4 March 2019
My heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family. â¤ï¸ #LukePerry
— Molly Ringwald (@MollyRingwald) March 4, 2019
Luke Perry was my 1st crush. Eh, more like obsession (I wore pins w his face on them to school 🙊) I used to dream of making it to LA just to meet him. I never got to, but I've always heard he was a really great person. 😔 Praying for his family & kids.... Rest in love â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸ðŸŒ¥
— Olivia Munn (@oliviamunn) 4 March 2019
I don’t understand how he’s gone.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) 4 March 2019
His soul always shined so bright. His smile. His talent. His kindness. He was always the coolest person in the room.
Rest with the angels, sweet Luke. I will never forget you. pic.twitter.com/17AzJD491m
L.P.
— Charlie Sheen (@charliesheen) March 4, 2019
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.
©ï¸
â¤ï¸
Perry’s former 90210 co-star, Christine Elise McCarthy, said she was “stunned” by his death.
“With the heaviest of hearts, I am stunned and devastated to tell you that Luke passed away. I am still in shock and I have no words beyond saying he was a truly kind gentleman,” she wrote on emotional Instagram.
“He will be mourned and missed by everyone who knew him and the millions who love him.
RIP, dearie Luke. Your time here was far too short.”
EARLY YEARS
Luke Perry was born Coy Luther Perry III in Fredericktown, Ohio, in America’s Midwest, and moved to Los Angeles after high school to pursue a career in acting, before relocating again — to New York for a role on a soap, Loving.
From there, he worked in a string of odd jobs including in a doorknob factory and laying asphalt, according to E! News, while auditioning for acting parts.
Perry landed his breakout role as Porsche-driving bad boy Dylan McKay in Beverly Hills 90210 when he was 24.
90210’s co-creator, the late TV producer Aaron Spelling, described Perry’s character as a “little dangerous, a little on the edge” in a Rolling Stone interview.
“When Luke walked into the audition, it was like ‘Wow, that’s the person,’” 90210 co-creator Darren Star added.
“He seems exactly like James Dean to me, but it isn’t a conscious imitation — he’s really being himself.”
With his brooding stare, Perry was compared to James Dean though he grew up idolising Paul Newman.
In an interview, Perry recalled hearing his mother admiring Newman’s looks: “He’s the most beautiful man in the world, honey … he’s a movie star”.
“I thought, ‘OK, that’s cool.’ I watched him and, ‘Yeah, man, who didn’t want to be Paul Newman!,”’ Perry said.
In a 1993 interview, Perry spoke about his life-changing role as Dylan in 90210.
”Before I was cast I wasn’t doing much of anything as far as acting goes I was auditioning for a lot of stuff and I was getting turned down a lot and in the daytime I was doing asphalt making parking lots and stuff,” Perry said.
“And the show has changed my life immeasurably. I mean, life is certainly never going to be the same.”
Perry’s status as a ’90s teen pin-up was even referred to in cult movie Clueless.
In the iconic scene where Tai (Brittany Murphy) questions why Cher (Alicia Silverstone) is “still a virgin”, Dionne (Stacey Dash) declares, “Cher’s saving herself for Luke Perry.”
RIVERDALE ROLE
While he made a name for himself as 90210’s bad boy, Perry had a career comeback in recent years playing a TV dad.
Perry won a new generation of fans as construction worker Fred Andrews on Riverdale, the father of Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) after roles in prison TV drama Oz as well as voice roles in Mortal Kombat, The Simpsons, Johnny Bravo, and The Incredible Hulk.
The CW series, which screens in Australia on Netflix, is a dark take on the Archie comics on which Perry starred for three seasons (Riverdale has been renewed for a fourth).
Perry’s final movie role will be in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, about the Charles Manson murders and co-starring Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, due to be released in July.
Later in life, Perry spoke about wanting more from life than just to be famous.
“When you are younger you can have only work, and I did for a long time,” Perry said.
“But it doesn’t command my attention that way anymore.
“A lot of the mysteries and the questions I had about it I’ve figured out, but life offers up mysteries every day.”
90210 REBOOT
In a bizarre twist, Perry suffered the stroke which ultimately killed him on the same day it was announced that the original stars of Beverly Hills 90210 has signed on for a reboot.
Perry’s former co-stars Ian Ziering, Jason Priestley, Brian Austin Green, Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth and Gabrielle Carteris were all returning for the new series, though Perry’s contractual obligations on Riverdale were said to have prevented him from signing on as a regular.
Previously, Spelling said Perry intended to “do as many [episodes] as he can do” in an interview with Access Live.
When news of Perry’s stroke broke last week, Doherty — who played Perry’s on-screen love Brenda Walsh in 90210 — told Entertainment Tonight: “I can’t talk about it here, ‘cause I will literally start crying but I love him and he knows I love him,” Doherty said, according to ET.
“It’s Luke, and he’s my Dylan.”
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