Hollywood Mourns the Death of '90210' and 'Riverdale' Star Luke Perry

From Harper's BAZAAR

  • Actor Luke Perry, of 90210, Riverdale, The Fifth Element, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, passed away yesterday morning, his publicist confirms to the Associated Press.

  • Perry's costars and fellow Hollywood stars mourned his death and pay tribute to him on social media.

  • He is survived by his children, Jake and Sophie, fiancée Wendy Madison Bauer, former wife, Minnie Sharp, and mother Ann Bennett, who were by his side when he passed.


Luke Perry died at 52 on Monday, March 4, his publicist confirmed to the Associated Press. The 90210 and Riverdale actor was hospitalized last Wednesday after he suffered from a major stroke.

Photo credit: Art Streiber
Photo credit: Art Streiber

Perry's publicist, Arnold Robinson, says that the actor's loved ones–including his children, Jake and Sophie, fiancée Wendy Madison Bauer, former wife, Minnie Sharp, and mother Ann Bennett–were by his side when he passed.

“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,” Robinson said in a statement to AP.

Photo credit: Ron Davis - Getty Images
Photo credit: Ron Davis - Getty Images

Perry grew up in Central Ohio before he portrayed the ultimate bad boy and teen heartthrob Dylan McKay on the iconic teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210. McKay was the troubled loner with the perfectly chiseled jawline, and was one-third of the most legendary love triangles on TV during the '90s, when it aired.

Photo credit: Art Streiber
Photo credit: Art Streiber

For those of us who were in elementary school when 90210 ended, we may know Perry for his work as Fred Andrews, Archie’s dad on The CW's Riverdale. According to Deadline, when the heartbreaking news of Perry's passing was confirmed, the series halted production.

The show's executive producers (Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, and Jon Goldwater) issued a joint statement to the publication.

“We are deeply saddened to learn today about the passing of Luke Perry. 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.”

The Riverdale Writer's Room Twitter account (@RiverdaleWriter) updated its bio to touchingly read, "Season 3 is dedicated to our lovely family member and friend, Luke Perry."

The account also tweeted, "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" which was retweeted and favorited tens of thousands of times.

Perry's final role will be in Once Upon a Time, Quentin Tarantino's upcoming film about Charles Manson, Entertainment Weeklyreports. The film stars Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, and the latter paid tribute to Perry on Twitter.

"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," DiCaprio wrote.

 

 


Below, we'verounded up the most touching tributes from Perry's Riverdale and 90210 costars.

Lili Reinhardt, who stars as Betty Cooper on Riverdale tweeted:

 

 


Robin Givens, who stars as Mayor Sierra McCoy on Riverdale tweeted and Instagrammed:

 

 


Asha Bromfield, who stars as Melody Valentine on Riverdale, wrote:


Rob Raco, stars as Joaquin DeSantos on Riverdale, wrote:

View this post on Instagram

You taught me so much in so little. Rest easy, friend.

A post shared by Rob Raco (@robraco) on Mar 4, 2019 at 1:19pm PST


Ian Ziering, who was Steve Sanders on Beverly Hills, 90210 posted:

 

 


Christine Elise McCarthy played Emily Valentine on Beverly Hills, 90210.


Kathleen Robert played Clare Arnold on Beverly Hills, 90210.


Emma Caulfield played Susan Keats on Beverly Hills, 90210.


Roberto Aguirre Sacasa is the creator of Riverdale.


Molly Ringwald, who stars as Mary Andrews on Riverdale posted:

 

View this post on Instagram

Goodbye, my friend. ??I enjoyed dancing with you for a time...

A post shared by Molly Ringwald (@mollyringwald) on Mar 4, 2019 at 2:32pm PST

 


Joss Whedon is the writer of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Perry played Oliver Pike in the 1992 film.


Kristy Swanson played Buffy Summers on Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

 

 


Felicia Day played Violet on Buffy The Vampire Slayer.


Seth Green played Oz on Buffy The Vampire Slayer.


Leslie Grossman played Lauren on What I Like About You, opposite of Perry's character Todd.

 


Other fellow actors also shared kind words about Perry on Twitter and Instagram.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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