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Luke Perry's Tragic Death: How Hollywood Is Mourning & How His Legacy Lives On

Luke Perry tragic passing and lasting inspiration

Losing a star who meant a lot to us at an impressionable time in our lives is never easy.
But this is particularly hard.
Luke Perry touched not just his fans with his indelible performance as teen heartthrob Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210, but apparently everyone else he ever met as well.
The fact he was taken from us so young is tragic — but the stories which have come out about him since are some of the most inspirational we’ve heard.
Get the whole story on the heartache and the legacy of Luke…

The Stroke

The initial shock came last Wednesday when Luke suffered a massive stroke.
For those not familiar with the fifth leading cause of death and number one cause of disability in the United States, a stroke is when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or becomes blocked by a clot. The temporary lack of blood flow means brain cells are not getting the oxygen they need and quickly die. That means time is of the essence when a stroke occurs. [Learn more about how to recognize the signs you or someone you know is suffering a stroke and how to respond HERE.]
Luke was at his home in Sherman Oaks when it happened; paramedics got the 911 call and got to him around 9:40 a.m. They took him immediately to St. Joseph’s in Burbank.
Unfortunately it was not enough. After five days he was gone.

The Passing

Luke died on Monday morning.
Per a rep statement, he was “surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiance 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.”
It sounds like it was a peaceful moment, though clearly nothing can really prepare a family for this kind of loss.
Perry was only 52 years old.

#RIP Luke Perry

Luke obviously meant the world to a great many people. His friends and fans in the industry quickly took to social media to give remembrances.
Here are just a few examples.


 

The Riverdale Gang

It was different for those currently working with him. His Riverdale costars remembered the man who showed them such leadership.
His TV son, KJ Apa wrote, “Rest in Love bro” alongside this pic:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuuvUH9FANt/
Lili Reinhart said:

“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.

Casey Cott wrote:

“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.”

Camila Mendes posted:

“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. 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.”

Cole Sprouse shared in an interview:

“We’re recovering. It’s obviously not the easiest thing to talk about. But he was well loved and there’s been an outpouring of emotional support from people around the world, which just goes to show what a wonderful person he was and how much he impacted people’s lives and impacted our lives.”

Madchen Amick wrote:

“I’m absolutely heartbroken of the news that we lost someone so incredibly special. Luke had become a dear friend. We laughed. We cried. We shared showbiz war stories. We shared how proud we are as parents. I knew that he was always there for me no matter what. I’m so thankful for the time that we had together. He was an incredibly loving and generous man. My thoughts and prayers are with his family right now. I will love you forever Luke.”

Riverdale Stops To Say Goodbye

We often wish the world would stop when we lose someone. W.H. Auden famously demanded we “stop all the clocks” in his beloved poem Funeral Blues.
Well, that’s just what Riverdale, the hit CW show in which he played Fred Andrews, father of Archie Andrews, did. They announced this week they would be suspending production to allow cast and crew time to mourn.
The show’s executive producers wrote in a statement:

“We are deeply saddened to learn today about the passing of Luke Perry. 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. A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness. Our thoughts are with Luke’s family during this most difficult time.”

We don’t know when the show will resume production, but we know the next few episodes will be dedicated to the on- and off-screen father figure’s memory.
And when it does start back up, it will never be the same.

90210 Cast React

The Riverdale cast clearly loved Luke; he was an amazing man. But most only knew him a short time.
His costars from Beverly Hills 90210 counted Luke as a friend for over 25 years! And how do you say goodbye to someone you’ve loved so long??

90210 cast says goodbye to Luke Perry
90210 cast way back when. / (c) Fox/WENN

Tori Spelling said in a statement:

“I’m in utter shock and heartbroken. 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. 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.”

Shannen Doherty was likewise shocked. She said:

“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. Luke reached out to me during my cancer journey and we picked right back up, albeit older and wiser, but that connection remained in tact.”

Gabrielle Carteris wrote:

“Dearest Luke- I am so heart broken and at a loss for words. You my friend were a mighty soul and have left your mark. My love and prayers to the family and all who loved you. RIP”

Ian Ziering posted:

“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. God please give him a seat close to to you, he deserves it.”

Ian’s emotions may even have gotten the best of him as he was seen getting into an altercation over a parking spot of all things. It’s not a side of him we’ve seen before. He must be devastated.
Jason Priestley took some time but eventually wrote:

“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… 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… Goodnight Sweet Prince.”

Jason Priestley and Luke Perry then and now
Jason Priestley and Luke Perry then and now. / (c) Jason Priestley/Instagram

Luke’s LEGACY

There are two people who will be more affected by this than anyone else in the entire world, no contest: Luke’s children.
His son, Jack Perry, a 21-year-old wrestler who performs under the name Jungle Boy, had to pull out of his next match.
He posted to Instagram:

“He was a lot of things to a lot of people. To me, he was always Dad. He loved supported me in everything, and inspired me to be the best that I could possibly be. I’ve learned so much from you, and my heart is broken thinking about everything you won’t be here for. I’ll miss you every day that I walk this earth. I’ll do whatever I can to carry on your legacy and make you proud. I love you Dad.”

Luke Perry's son describes how life will never be the same without his father.
(c) Jack Perry/Instagram

Luke’s daughter, 18-year-old Sophie Perry, wrote about how she was “being grateful quietly.”

“A lot has happened in this past week for me. Everything is happening so fast. I made it back from Malawi just in time to be here with my family, And in the past 24 hours I have received an overwhelming amount of love and support. I cannot individually respond to the hundreds of beautiful and heartfelt messages, but I see them, and appreciate you all for sending positivity to my family and I. I’m not really sure what to say or do in this situation, it’s something you aren’t ever given a lesson on how to handle, especially when it’s all happening in the public eye. So bare with me and know that I am grateful for all the love. Just, being grateful quietly.”

Luke Perry's daughter speaks out.
(c) Sophie Perry/Instagram

A GOOD MAN

All the outpouring of love from family and friends we expected.
But there’s been one other aspect to Luke’s passing which has been truly inspiring — how he treated strangers.
We’ve seen countless posts all over social media of people who met him at their job or saw him in their town, and nowhere — not one — had anything bad to say.
No, everyone had wonderful stories of him being kind, generous, helpful. Here are just a few of those:


Baywatch star Alexandria Daddario never worked with Luke as an actress — but did serve him as a waitress before she was famous. She wrote:

“Luke Perry used to come into the restaurant I worked in over a decade ago. He was always so kind to me and friendly in an industry where most people would just dismiss me. Always remembered that. RIP. And be kind and compassionate to those around you y’all.”

Heather Matarazzo had just starred in her first movie, as ugly duckling Dawn Weiner in the cult smash Welcome To The Dollhouse when she met Luke:

“In 1996, I was just starting to experience the first measures of “fame” and “success”. It was hard for me to take in as a 13-year-old. Hell, it can still be hard in moments as a 36-year-old. Shout out to social anxiety!! However, I remember going to my first premiere, which was for Jackie Chan’s newest film at the time and then heading to the after-party, which I believe was at Planet Hollywood (it was massive back in the 90’s). Sylvester Stallone was there (shakes hands like a fish), Wade Boggs was there (the only time I’d ever seen my dad truly impressed with my success???) and the protagonist of this story, Luke Perry.”

She continued:

“Since then, I’ve met quite a few well-known people, but Luke Perry will always stand out. He had just come off 90210, and for those that don’t know, that show was a FRENZY!!! People were obsessed, including me. However, I didn’t want to be with Dylan McKay, I wanted to be him, so I could get with Brenda….but I digress.”

LOLz!

“He had recognized me from Dollhouse and asked if I’d sit with him and his friends, which I did, all evening. However, inside, I was gobsmacked. I couldn’t believe that he A: recognized me and B: asked me to hang with HIM and HIS FRIENDS!. My inner 13 year old is still screaming.”

There it is! Total Luke move.

He was my first real lesson in kindness and peer to peer generosity. He went out of his way to make sure that I was included. He didn’t have to; he chose to and that will stay with me forever. Thank you, bud. Your kindness lives on.”

Awww!
Multiple Tennesseeans shared stories and photos from when he volunteered to help bring food to those in need during the 2010 flood:


But maybe our favorite Luke Perry story came from an unexpected place — actor Colin Hanks.
No, they weren’t costars. Hanks just saw this happen on a plane, and man is it incredible:

“I only met him once but the story is too good not tell given todays sad events. My wife and I are on a plane back from Mexico. Couple of rows ahead of us, these two brothers, young kids, are beating the hell out of each other. Their poor parents are powerless to stop the crying, yelling and screaming. If you’re a parent you understand. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do. It was like this for close to two hours.”

Enter… the Dylan.

“Then about 10 minutes before landing it starts to get real bad. Out of no where, a man comes from first class. Hat, beard, sunglasses, blowing up a balloon. He ties it off, hands it off like he’s holding out a sword to a king. Kneeling, Head down, arms up. Kids calm down in milliseconds. Plane damn near bursts into applause. 15 minutes longer and it probably would have started WWIII, but we landed before that could happen. We get off the plane, are waiting on line in customs. Finally get a good look at the guy and I say to my wife ‘Holy shit. I think that balloon man/hero’ is Luke Perry’.”

And it was. And before Colin could fangirl over Luke, you wouldn’t believe it:

“As luck would have it we end up standing next to each other. Out of the blue he turns to me and says some kind words about Fargo, which kinda blew my mind. I start singing his praises about how long I’ve admired him and also about the move with the balloon. ‘That’s a pro move! You can’t teach that!’ I say. He tells me he always flies with a couple of balloons for that very reason, to give to screaming kids. Don’t know if that’s true, but have no reason to believe it wasn’t. Guy seemed like a true gent. Gone way too damn soon. Also, I’ll be damned if I don’t start traveling with some spare balloons”

Now doesn’t that make you want to start traveling with balloons in your pocket?
Anything to be a little more like Luke Perry. Just the best.

Luke Perry forever
Luke Perry forever. (c) WENN

[Image via Ivan Nikolov/Fox/WENN.]

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Mar 08, 2019 06:40am PDT

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