Luke Perry’s Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale castmates were among the stars who took to social media to remember their late colleague.
Perry starred as Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210 from 1990 to 2000, and more recently starred as Fred Andrews, Archie’s father, on The CW teen drama Riverdale.
The actor was hospitalized Wednesday after suffering a major stroke. He died Monday at the age of 52.
Wednesday’s episode of Riverdale was dedicated to Perry. Executive producer and creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa said all subsequent episodes of the show’s run will also be dedicated to the actor.
Going through pictures on my way to set. From the early days. With Luke in the middle. Our heart, always. Tonight’s episode of #Riverdale finds Fred doing what he does best–helping Archie. It is dedicated to Luke, as all episodes will be for the rest of our run. pic.twitter.com/Nx8iCFBoMe
— RobertoAguirreSacasa (@WriterRAS) March 6, 2019
Perry’s Beverly Hills, 90210 costar Ian Ziering addressed a tweet to the late actor. “Dearest Luke, I will forever bask in the loving memories we’ve shared over the last thirty years,” he wrote. “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 has continued to share photos and stories about Perry on Instagram.
Fellow 90210 actor Gabrielle Carteris said in a statement Monday: “I am absolutely heartbroken. Luke was a tremendous force in the lives of so many. He was a very sensitive soul who was kind, generous and he fought for the underdog. He was a strong voice and an advocate who will be so missed by all who knew him. He has left his mark — never to be forgotten. My heart goes out to his family, friends and fans around the globe.”
Shannen Doherty, who played Brenda Walsh, Dylan’s girlfriend in the early 90210 seasons, gave a statement to People following her co-star’s passing. “I am in shock. Heartbroken. Devastated by the loss of my friend. I have so many memories with Luke that make me smile and that are forever imprinted on my heart and mind,” she said. “Luke was a smart, quiet, humble and complex man with a heart of gold and never-ending well of integrity and love. Luke reached out to me during my cancer journey and we picked right back up, albeit older and wiser, but that connection remained intact.” She also told the outlet that she and Perry had hoped to work together again, and before his death the two were “working on show ideas for us.”
The actress took to Instagram on Tuesday to share photos of her with Perry. She captioned the post, “Yesterday morning I got a phone call that devastated me. I’m struggling with this loss and am having a hard time with my thoughts. But, my heart goes out to his family and friends who were blessed by his light in their (and mine) lives. Processing this is impossible right now.”
Related Stories
Jennie Garth, who starred as Dylan’s other main love interest Kelly Taylor, whom Dylan dated after Brenda in a memorable ’90s TV love triangle, also shared a statement with People. “My heart is broken. He meant so much to so many. Such a very special person. I share my deep sadness with his family and all who loved him. Such a terrible loss,” she said.
Fellow 90210 star Tori Spelling told People that she was shocked by the news. “I’m in utter shock and heartbroken,” she said. “I’m saddened for his kids whom he adored beyond words. He was so proud of Jack and Sophie.”
“Luke was one of the kindest and most humble human beings I’ve ever known,” continued Spelling. “I’m grateful for the years of friendship we had. He truly was family to me, a protector and a brother. I’m so sorry for the loss that everyone is experiencing.”
Jason Priestley, who starred as Brandon Walsh, took to Instagram on Thursday to pay tribute to Perry. “It’s taken me a couple of days to figure out how to write this… My dear friend of 29 years, Luke Perry, was one of those truly special people who really cared,” he wrote in the post, which was accompanied by a recent photo of the two and a throwback photo from their 90210 days. “Luke was not only a star, he was an incredibly bright light that was extinguished far too soon… and that is why I, and so many others, are in so much pain today.”
“If you had the good fortune to know Luke, or to have ever crossed his path, I know you are sad today as well… the candle that burns twice as bright only burns for half as long… you burned oh, so brightly Luke,” Priestley continued. “Goodnight Sweet Prince.”
Tiffani Thiessen, who joined the cast of 90210 in the show’s fifth season as Valerie Malone, also posted on Instagram on Thursday. “My heart has been weighing heavy. The loss of a man who started as my co-star but quickly became my friend. He welcomed me on my very first day of #90210 with open arms,” she captioned a photo of the two together.
The actress wrote that she was nervous to join the show so late in its run, though Perry made the transition easy for her. “This man took me under his wing and made me feel at home. Made me feel like I belonged in his TV family. He was sincere, sweet, warm, kind, professional and funny as all heck. And most of all, the definition of a gentleman,” she said. “Luke, our world has a hole in it now that you aren’t here. But heaven definitely gained you as an angel.”
Brian Austin Green, who portrayed David Silver, remained quiet about Perry’s passing until the March 14 episode of his podcast …with Brian Austin Green. “Luke was a special guy. I’m still mourning over it, so there’s a part of me that’s kind of shocked that I’m speaking about Luke this way,” Green said. “We all knew that at some point we’d have to deal with losing cast members and friends, but not this soon. Not at 52. Not in such an abrupt way.”
“Luke was one of those people nobody had a bad story about. He was just a great guy,” Green continued. “And he was Luke no matter where you saw him, no matter when you saw him, no matter what he was going through. He was a rock.”
Green added that he sent Perry a text following his passing. “I texted him after he passed, knowing obviously that he can’t text me back but on some level, hoping that he would text me back, or that he was out there somewhere,” he said. “And I know he is. I know he’s looking down and I know he’s smiling.”
Rebecca Gayheart, who played Dylan’s wife Toni who was accidentally killed by her own father in an attempt to kill Dylan in the sixth season of the show, took to Instagram to react to the news. Accompanied by a number of photos of the two together, Gayheart wrote, “Just heartbroken. I need some time before commenting further.”
Christine Elise McCarthy, who played the recurring role of Emily Valentine on 90210, shared a photo on set of the show with Perry and Jason Priestley. “With the heaviest of hearts, I am stunned and devastated to tell you that Luke passed away. I am still in shock and I have no words beyond saying he was a truly kind gentleman,” she wrote on Instagram. “He will be mourned and missed by everyone who knew him and the millions who love him. RIP, dearie Luke. Your time here was far too short.”
Kathleen Robertson, who starred as Clare Arnold in the fourth through seventh seasons, took to Twitter to remember Perry. “As a young girl from Hamilton Ontario coming onto the biggest show in the world mid stream, Luke welcomed me from day one,” she tweeted. “My heart breaks.”
Many of Perry’s Riverdale co-stars have also taken to social media to honor the actor.
Lili Reinhart, who stars as Betty Cooper on the series, tweeted, “I’m finding it hard to grasp that he will no longer be around to give long hugs and share his wisdom and kindness with all of us.” She continued, “I’m thinking of his family. His children. I pray for them to heal and find peace in this devastating loss.” A few minutes later she added, “I just can’t believe it.”
Molly Ringwald, who played Fred’s ex-wife on the show, also took to Twitter to share her condolences. “My heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry,” she wrote. “Sending all my love to your family.”
Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa took to Twitter to pay tribute to Perry. “So heartbroken about Luke. He was a father, brother, friend, and mentor. Each night before he had to shoot a scene, he’d call me and we’d talk about…everything. I will miss those calls,” he tweeted along with a photo of Perry. “And my heart goes out to all his family and friends.”
Casey Cott, who stars as Kevin Keller on The CW series, tweeted that he was “totally heartbroken.” He continued, “Luke took me under his wing the day I was cast and made me feel like I belonged. He was the most generous, wise soul with unmatched kindness. He treated everyone with love and joy. We had so much fun. Praying for his family.”
The writers on Riverdale also took to Twitter to honor Perry. “You were a joyful and vibrant soul. You will be missed but most certainly your legacy will be remembered forever,” they wrote on a shared Twitter account. “Rest in love and peace, friend.”
Madchen Amick, who portrays Alice Cooper, asked fans to respect Perry’s family during this difficult time. In a text post on Instagram, the actress wrote that Perry was “incredibly special.” She continued, “Luke had become a dear friend. We laughed. We cried. We shared our showbiz war stories. We shared how proud we are as parents. I knew that he was always there for me no matter what.” She added that she was thankful for her time spent with “an incredibly loving and generous man.”
Vanessa Morgan posted a photo of her, Perry and the cast of Riverdale on Twitter with the caption “Angel… No words,” while Marisol Nichols shared a photo on Instagram with the caption, “I don’t have any words now. Maybe I will later.”
Asha Bromfield reacted to the news on Twitter. She remembered Perry as “the kindest, warmest, most loving human being.” She continued, “He always went out of his way to make me feel safe, heard and seen in his presence. I love you so much Luke. Thank you for being a ray of light for me and so many.”
Meanwhile, Hart Denton shared a photo of Perry in 8 Seconds. He captioned the post, “Rest in peace legend.
Ross Butler, who appeared on the first season of The CW show, posted a tribute on Instagram. “We lost an original today. A legend. He paved the way for us. Although we didn’t work much together, he always greeted me with a smile, had a joke ready, and a story to tell,” he wrote, accompanied by a photo of Perry on 90210. “Rest in peace, Luke. Rest easy.”
Robin Givens remembered Perry as “one of the kindest most gentle souls this world has ever known” on Twitter.
Gina Gershon, who recently joined the cast of Riverdale, posted a photo of Perry hugging onscreen son KJ Apa on Instagram. “In the all too brief time we got to hang out on the set, I was struck by how kind, caring, gentle and loving Luke Perry was. It was clear how Loved he was by everyone around him and today was devastating seeing how genuinely broken hearted and sad everyone was by the tragic news,” she wrote. “My heart goes out to his family, as well as his Riverdale family. What a beautiful man. What a sad day.”
Apa shared a smiling photo of his TV father with the caption, “Rest in Love bro.”
Nathalie Boltt shared a Maya Angelou quote on Instagram to honor Perry. She captioned the post, “Luke made people feel safe and valued and welcome. Luke made us laugh. He certainly made me laugh. He was gracious, kind; a gentleman. But most of all he was a fine, fine father and my friend. Thank you, Luke. We miss you. Stay close.”
Rob Raco shared a photo of him hugging Perry on Instagram. “You taught me so much in so little. Rest easy, friend,” he captioned the photo.
Madelaine Petsch shared a photo on Instagram of her, Perry and other Riverdale castmembers. “Luke, I am so lucky to have known you & gotten so close to you these last 3 years. You were such a light in our lives; the most genuine & kind soul I will ever know. From day one of this show you were the most amazing mentor to me,” she wrote. “Thank you for teaching me not only about this industry, but also about kindness and being a family and how to foster and nurture those important relationships… you were the absolute best at that. I love you Luke, you and those sweet forehead kisses will forever be missed.”
Camila Mendes shared a photo of her and Perry in mid-conversation to honor the late actor. “He took care of us all. an authentic man who took pleasure in offering us his guidance and wisdom. his presence was healing; he had the ability to make you feel comfortable and at ease within seconds of seeing him. i will never forget the collective shock and distress we experienced when the news broke on set. we lost a dear friend,” she captioned the photo. “My heart hurts for his family and anybody who had the pleasure of knowing him. rest in peace, luke. although you’re no longer around to wrap me in the warmth of your hug, i can still remember what it felt like. whenever i think of you, i will remember that feeling.”
Hayley Law, who played the recurring role of Valerie Brown on the first two seasons of the show, shared that Perry offered to co-sign for her car when the dealership wouldn’t let her finance it. “My heart is heavy. One of the kindest men I’ve met since I began this journey has passed. Someone who always encouraged me and everyone on set. Luke genuinely cared about everyone he worked with, and if you work in entertainment, you know how special that is,” she captioned a photo of Perry on Instagram. “You deserve the most beautiful afterlife.”
Cole Sprouse reflected on Perry in an interview with the Associated Press. “It’s really easy to get jaded in an industry when you work in it as long as he had and I think he was an incredible optimist and an incredible role model for so many people and that’s why the world is lamenting his passing,” he said. “Out of respect for his family and the privacy of it, I say it’s not too appropriate to continue speaking about it.”
Sprouse later opened up about how the cast is coping during a late-night visit to James Corden. “We’re recovering. We’re all going through the paces,” he said.
Related Stories
See what the stars of Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale had to say about Perry below.
As a young girl from Hamilton Ontario coming onto the biggest show in the world mid stream, Luke welcomed me from day one. My heart breaks. #lukeperry #90210 pic.twitter.com/8QA4SEipqB
— kathleen robertson (@kathleenrobert7) March 4, 2019
I’m finding it hard to grasp that he will no longer be around to give long hugs and share his wisdom and kindness with all of us.
I’m thinking of his family. His children.
I pray for them to heal and find peace in this devastating loss.
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) March 4, 2019
I just can’t believe it.
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) March 4, 2019
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
So heartbroken about Luke. He was a father, brother, friend, and mentor. Each night before he had to shoot a scene, he’d call me and we’d talk about…everything. I will miss those calls. And my heart goes out to all his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/2GaFkV2mI7
— RobertoAguirreSacasa (@WriterRAS) March 4, 2019
I’m totally heartbroken. Luke took me under his wing the day I was cast and made me feel like I belonged. He was the most generous, wise soul with unmatched kindness. He treated everyone with love and joy. We had so much fun. Praying for his family.
— Casey Cott (@CaseyCott) March 5, 2019
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
Woke up this morning a ball of tears. Luke Perry was the kindest, warmest, most loving human being. He always went out of his way to make me feel safe, heard and seen in his presence. I love you so much Luke. Thank you for being a ray of light for me and so many pic.twitter.com/xv2lsUCSpS
— ASHA (@ashabrom) March 4, 2019
Angel…no words pic.twitter.com/YIQg71kL7B
— Vanessa Morgan (@VanessaMorgan) March 5, 2019
one of the kindest most gentle souls this world has ever known #riplukeperry
— Robin Givens (@Therocknrobn) March 4, 2019
More from The Hollywood Reporter
-
Whitney Houston
The Stories Behind Whitney Houston’s Unreleased Gospel Songs: “She Left Healing Music for the World”
![]()
-
Awards
Mindy Kaling, Bruce Springsteen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus Among Honorees of White House’s National Medals of Arts
![]()
-
international
Ed Sheeran Goes on Intimate Journey in New Disney+ Docuseries ‘Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All’
![]()
-
Mark Twain Prize
Adam Sandler’s Starry Friends Toast His Comic Legacy as He Receives Mark Twain Humor Prize
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
