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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.

Luke Perry dead: Beverly Hills 90210 actor dies aged 52 after 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”.

TRAGIC END: PRODIGY STAR’S FINAL INTERVIEW

SHOCK DEATHS: 24 HOURS IN SHOWBIZ

Former 90210 star Luke Perry, pictured in 1994, has died after a massive stroke in Los Angeles. Picture: Ron Galella/WireImage
Former 90210 star Luke Perry, pictured in 1994, has died after a massive stroke in Los Angeles. Picture: Ron Galella/WireImage
The Riverdale star, 52, found new fame later in life on The CW-produced teen drama. Picture: AFP
The Riverdale star, 52, found new fame later in life on The CW-produced teen drama. Picture: AFP

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.

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.

Luke Perry on the cover of <span id="U65218555630iPC" style="font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;">Vanity Fair.</span>
Luke Perry on the cover of Vanity Fair.
Iconic role! Luke Perry, bottom right, with the cast of 90210. Picture: Supplied
Iconic role! Luke Perry, bottom right, with the cast of 90210. Picture: Supplied

‘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”.

Riverdale stars KJ Apa, Madelaine Petsch and the late Luke Perry in Beverly Hills last year. Picture: Getty Images
Riverdale stars KJ Apa, Madelaine Petsch and the late Luke Perry in Beverly Hills last year. Picture: Getty Images

“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.”

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.

Luke Perry, centre, with 90210 co-stars Ian Ziering, Jason Priestley, Brian Austin Green, Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, Gabrielle Carteris and Shannen Doherty.
Luke Perry, centre, with 90210 co-stars Ian Ziering, Jason Priestley, Brian Austin Green, Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, Gabrielle Carteris and Shannen Doherty.

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.”

Luke Perry, top right, with his 90210 co-stars including Ian Ziering, Jennie Garth, Brian Austen Green, Tori Spelling and Shannen Doherty.
Luke Perry, top right, with his 90210 co-stars including Ian Ziering, Jennie Garth, Brian Austen Green, Tori Spelling and Shannen Doherty.
Actor Luke Perry has died aged 52. Picture: AFP
Actor Luke Perry has died aged 52. Picture: AFP

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.

‘A little dangerous’. Luke Perry filmed a role in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming new movie, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood. Picture: Getty Images
‘A little dangerous’. Luke Perry filmed a role in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming new movie, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood. Picture: Getty Images

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).

Father and son! Archie (New Zealand actor KJ Apa) and Fred (Luke Perry) in a scene from teen drama, Riverdale.
Father and son! Archie (New Zealand actor KJ Apa) and Fred (Luke Perry) in a scene from teen drama, Riverdale.

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.”

Luke Perry and his ex-wife, Minnie Sharp, who split in 2003. Sharp’s father was a Hollywood screenwriter.
Luke Perry and his ex-wife, Minnie Sharp, who split in 2003. Sharp’s father was a Hollywood screenwriter.

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.”

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/luke-perry-90210-and-riverdale-star-is-dead-at-52/news-story/6981b9116cbf7696a65a7e88d23f072c