Riverdale star and Beverley Hills 90210 hearthrob Luke Perry dies, aged 52
have been paid to Luke Perry, the star who gained instant heartthrob status as wealthy rebel Dylan Mckay in the hit 1990s TV series Beverly Hills, 90210, after he died following a massive stroke.
Perry was surrounded by family and friends when he died, publicist Arnold Robinson said. The actor had been hospitalised since last Wednesday, after an ambulance was called to his home in the Sherman Oaks area of Los Angeles.
At Perry’s bedside were his children, Jake and Sophie; fiancée Wendy Madison Bauer and his former wife, Minnie Sharp.
Born and raised in rural Fredericktown, Ohio, Perry gained fame on Beverly Hills, 90210 which ran from 1990 to 2000. He had roles in a handful of films, including The Fifth Element, and most recently played construction company owner Fred Andrews, father of main character Archie Andrews, for three seasons on Riverdale.
After news of his death broke, Perry’s Riverdale costar Molly Ringwald posted a message on Twitter saying: “My heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family.”
Screenwriter Joss Whedon was also among those paying tribute, tweeting: “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.”
Actor Seth Green said he was “crushed”. He said: “Luke Perry was truly a great guy. Warm, kind, generous and hard work-tributes ing. We met very young, I witnessed the grace with which he became a pop icon & parent.”
Mr Robinson said in a statement: “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,”
The same day Perry was hospitalised, Fox TV announced a reboot of 90210.