LUKE SORROW
PERRY DEAD AT 52 AFTER STROKE
Luke Perry, teen heartthrob of the ’90s and star of hit shows “90210” and “Riverdale,” died Monday after suffering a massive stroke, his rep said. He was 52. Perry was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancée Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, stepfather Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder and other close family and friends in Los Angeles.
“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 rep said in a statement to the Daily News.
The news comes days after Perry was rushed to the hospital on Feb. 27 following a 911 call to his Sherman Oaks home. Perry was responsive and talking when paramedics first arrived. However, his condition quickly worsened and he was taken to the hospital and sedated, according to TMZ.
No further details were released.
Born in Mansfield, Ohio, the actor’s first major role in acting was on the soap opera “Another World” in 1988. Two years later, he gained fame for his portrayal of Dylan McKay on “Beverly Hills, 90210” from 1990 to 2000.
“I’m going to be linked with him until I die, but that’s actually just fine. I created Dylan McKay. He’s mine,” Perry said of his bad boy character in 2008.
Perry went on to appear in numerous televisions shows, including “Will & Grace” and “What I Like About You,” before he landed his starring role in “Riverdale” as Fred Andrews in 2016.
His former “90210” castmate Ian Ziering mourned the actor’s sudden death on Twitter.
“Dearest Luke, I will forever bask in the loving memories we’ve shared over the last thirty years. May your journey forward be enriched by the magnificent souls who have passed before you, just like you have done here, for those you leave behind,” he wrote.
Molly Ringwald, fellow teen star and the actor’s costar on “Riverdale,” said her “heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family.”
In a joint statement, producers of the popular teen drama Roberto AguirreSacasa, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Jon Goldwater; Warner Bros. Television, and the CW called Perry “a father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast.”
“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,” the statement read.
Production on “Riverdale” was shut down for the day following the news, according to People magazine.
Beyond those who worked closely with the actor, numerous other celebrities took to social media to pay tribute to the actor.
“Luke Perry was humble and kind every time we crossed paths. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing,” actor and director Scott Foley wrote on Twitter.
Charlie Sheen remembered the actor’s “giant heart” that “inspired and enchanted so many of us, on countless occasions, with brilliant aplomb.”
Most recently, Perry wrapped filming for Quentin Tarantino’s film “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” which is expected to be released in July.
The actor had one of the lead roles in the film, which featured a star-studded cast including Margot Robbie, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt.