Beverly Hills heartthrob dead at 52 after stroke

Luke Perry, most noted and beloved for Beverly Hills, 90210 and recently Riverdale, died Monday after suffering a massive stroke Feb. 27, TMZ reported.

The 52-year-old actor was surrounded by family at the time at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank, Calif., including his children Jack, 21, and Sophie, 18, fiancée Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, his mother, stepfather and siblings.

According to TMZ, Perry’s reps had sedated him after his stroke, “hoping to give his brain a fighting chance to recover from the trauma of the stroke,” but “the damage was too extensive.”

In a statement, his rep said, “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. No further details will be released at this time.”

Perry, who was born and raised in Ohio, was most recently co-starring on the CW network’s Riverdale as Archie’s father, a role he enjoyed because “I don’t need to be the frontman of the show,” he said. Indeed, Perry became a household name in the 1990s as much for his portrayal of 90210’s Dylan Mckay as his high school locker-worthy Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair covers. He starred on the popular teen show for five years before taking a three-year hiatus in 1995 to explore more serious roles. He returned to the series for its final two seasons, wrapping in 2000.

Perry also appeared in the original film version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Oz, Wll & Grace, Spin City, Windfall, John from Cincinnati and Body of Proof. He wrapped his final role earlier this year in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Plans to revive 90210 were, incident ally, announced Feb .27 with much of the cast having signed on to return. Perry and Shannen Doherty were the only exceptions as the series conflicted with his Riverdale shooting schedule.

Well wishes from Perry’s co-stars poured in for the actor last week. Doherty (who played Dylan’s love interest Brenda Walsh, making them one of the most beloved couples in TV history), told Entertainment Tonight over the weekend, “I can’t talk about it here ‘cause I will literally start crying, but I love him and he knows I love him.”

Luke Perry