LUKE’S LEGACY Luke Perry’s friends and family reveal their fondest memories of him
Friends and family break their silence on how the star touched their lives
Stepping out to dinner in Los Angeles on March 9, five days after Luke Perry’s untimely death, his family were a picture of unity at a restaurant in Studio City, close to where the
Riverdale and Beverly
Hills, 90210 star lived. After the meal, his fiancée, Wendy Madison Bauer, chatted with his ex-wife, Rachel “Minnie” Sharp, and Jack, 21, Sharp’s son with Perry. Earlier that day, Bauer spoke for the first time about the loss of her soulmate in an exclusive statement to WHO. “I want to express my gratitude to everyone for the outpouring of love and support. The countless, heartwarming stories of Luke’s generosity and kindness have been a great source of solace during this difficult time.”
Bauer, 44, and Perry, who was 52 when he died on March 4, five days after a massive stroke, kept their romance mostly under wraps. “The past 11-and-a-half years with Luke were the happiest years of my life, and I am grateful to have had that time with him,” she said. “I also want to thank his children, family, and friends for their love and support. We have found comfort in one another and in the knowledge that our lives extraordinary were touched man. by He an will be dearly missed.”
Professional wrestler Jack also broke his silence with an emotional tribute to his father. “He was a lot of things to a lot of people. To me, he was always Dad,” Jack posted on March 6, with a throwback pic of father and son. “He loved and supported me in everything, and inspired me to be the best that I could possibly be,” he wrote. “I’ve learned so much from you, and my heart is broken thinking about everything you won’t be here for.” 90210 Two co-star days later, Jennie Perry’s Garth took to Instagram to hit back at claims she wasn’t “mourning” her co-star appropriately. On International Women’s Day, the actress, 46, posted a photo of her daughters, Luca, 21, Lola, 16, and Fiona, 12.
“We have found comfort in one another” —Wendy Madison Bauer
The loving post angered fans expecting a tribute to Perry. “Not cool,” replied Garth.
“I chose to post a pic of my girls today … It took a lot for me to want to celebrate anything. I thought about it and I know that’s the way my dear friend would have wanted it. His kids were his life,” wrote Garth, adding, “and anyone who knew him knows that and knows he didn’t give a f--k about social media. So please don’t assume or make rude comments.”
The 90210 family was plunged into mourning again on March 10, when news broke that Jed Allan, 84, who’d played Steve Sanders’ (Ian Ziering) father, Rush Sanders, had passed away. While Perry was one of the few original stars who hadn’t signed on for the upcoming reboot, he’d remained close to his castmates. Just a week before his death, he’d texted Tori Spelling and spoken to Garth, sending her a snap of his daughter, Sophie, 18, who also honoured her father on social media with a photo of the two with their arms around each other. “He adored his kids beyond words,” Spelling, 45, told WHO.
Jason Priestley wrote in tribute to his friend of 29 years on March 7: “Luke was not only a star, he was an incredibly bright light that was extinguished far too soon,” he shared. “Luke was much more than just a friend to me … he was also my teammate, my teacher, my sounding board, my compass, my brother,” wrote the 49-year-old. “Every life he touched, he made better … he was caring, gentle, charming, warm, funny and smart … he was a true gentleman.”
Meanwhile, his Riverdale co-stars are “recovering,” said Cole Sprouse. The team behind the program – which paid tribute to Perry in their latest episode featuring the late star – remember him as “a father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast … [who] infused the set with love and kindness.”
Nobody will miss Perry and his generous heart more than his family, who are drawing strength from each other. “I’ll do whatever I can to carry on your legacy and make you proud,” wrote Jack. “I love you Dad.”