A day after the death of Luke Perry was announced, his co-stars, friends and family have shared tributes to the Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale actor.
Perry was currently starring in CW’s reboot of the Archie comic series, Riverdale, and some of the cast members have publicly mourned the loss of their friend and colleague.
The 52-year-old played Fred Andrews, the charismatic, car-loving, hard-working father of troubled teen Archie Andrews, portrayed by KJ Apa.
The producers of Riverdale shared a touching statement about the actor, who they called a ‘father figure’ to many of the younger cast members.
They credited his ‘giant heart’ and ardent professionalism, too.
Lili Reinhart, who plays Betty Cooper, shared a hopeful message of support to Instagram four days ago wishing for Luke’s recovery.
Since, she has tweeted sharing her pain about the loss.
She wrote:
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. I just can’t believe it.
Mädchen Amick, who plays Betty’s mother, Alice Cooper, asked for privacy on behalf of Luke’s family at this difficult time.
The former Twin Peaks actor said she was ‘thankful’ for the time they shared, as well as their ‘showbiz war stories’.
She also shared this statement saying she will love him forever:
Perry became one of the most recognisable faces in American television when he joined the cast of Beverly Hills, 90210, where his career took off in the early 1990s as a teen heartthrob.
Shannen Doherty, his former co-star told PEOPLE:
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.
Luke was a smart, quiet, humble and complex man with a heart of gold and never-ending well of integrity and love.
Another teen icon of the nineties, Molly Ringwald, took to Twitter to pay her respects:
Perry was pronounced dead yesterday (Monday March 4), after a huge stroke he suffered from days earlier proved fatal.
The star was taken to a hospital in Burbank, California, on Wednesday last week after suffering a stroke at home in Sherman Oaks, on the outskirts of Los Angeles.
He was surrounded by family and will be remembered as a greatly respected actor and father.
The family released a statement confirming the tragic news which reads:
He was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancee 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.
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.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Luke Perry at this difficult time.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.