Luke Perry, an actor best known for his roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Riverdale,” died at the age of 52 on March 4. The actor suffered a stroke on Feb. 27 and had been hospitalized since then.
A representative for Perry released a statement, saying Perry “was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancé Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, step-father Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends. 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.”
TMZ first reported that the actor had been rushed from his home to the hospital after suffering a stroke, and People magazine later confirmed the hospitalization.
The actor first gained notoriety as teen heartthrob Dylan on “Beverly Hills, 90210” in the 1990s. Starting in 2016, he played the father of a teen heartthrob on “Riverdale.”
Upon hearing the news of Perry’s death, the official Twitter for the “Riverdale” writer’s room paid tribute to the actor, writing, “You were a joyful and vibrant soul. You will be missed but most certainly your legacy will be remembered forever.”
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
— Riverdale Writers Room (@RiverdaleWriter) March 4, 2019
Perry most recently appeared in the CW show as Archie Andrews’ father, Fred Andrews.
Celebrities also began remembering the actor online.
“90210” co-star Ian Ziering wrote a heart-wrenching tribute that ended with “God please give him a seat close to you, he deserves it.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BumLbVqAiGy/?utm_source=ig_embed
“Riverdale” co-star Molly Ringwald sent a heartfelt message out to Perry’s family on Twitter, writing, “My heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family”:
My heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family. ❤️ #LukePerry
— Molly Ringwald (@MollyRingwald) March 4, 2019
Patricia Arquette tweeted remembering the actor as “irreplaceable,” “beautiful” and “kind”:
Luke Perry – Irreplaceable beautiful and kind human being, incredible friend, generous actor and adoring father to Jack and Sophie and loving partner to Madison we are all heartbroken. You are the love and you are the light. pic.twitter.com/X3ycTvmXsb
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) March 4, 2019
Seth Green tweeted, “Crushed. Luke Perry was truly a great guy. Warm, kind, generous and hard working”:
Crushed. Luke Perry was truly a great guy. Warm, kind, generous and hard working. We met very young, I witnessed the grace with which he became a pop icon & parent. He’s been an awesome example of how to stay decent in a swirl of crazy. Love to his family❤️ https://t.co/bGlTX8mNbB
— Seth Green (@SethGreen) March 4, 2019
Director and writer Joss Whedon remembered Perry, whom he worked with on the 1992 film “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “funny, committed, and always gracious.”
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. He shouldn’t be gone.
— Joss Whedon (@joss) March 4, 2019
Charlie Sheen remembered his dear friend on Twitter writing, “You made every situation better, my man.” He finished the message with, “I am truly honored to have known you all of these years.”
L.P.
you
made every
situation better,
my man.your
elegance
your wit
your charm
and
your giant heart,
inspired and
enchanted so many
of us,
on countless
occasions,
with brilliant aplomb.R.I.P good sir.
i am
truly honored
to have known you
all of these years.©️
❤️
— Charlie Sheen (@charliesheen) March 4, 2019
Ryan Seacrest tweeted, “Luke Perry was a great actor and truly one of a kind.” He also credited the actor for his move to Los Angeles. “Watching him on 90210 was one of the reasons why I wanted to move to LA”:
Luke Perry was a great actor and truly one of a kind. Watching him on 90210 was one of the reasons why I wanted to move to LA. Thinking of his family and friends on and off the set. Rest in peace.
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) March 4, 2019
And clearly, all those who were lucky enough to have known Perry feel the same way, lucky to have known such a kind actor, father, friend.
Rest in peace, Luke Perry. Sending our condolences to the Perry family.