Following the shocking and tragic passing of beloved actor Luke Perry, Hollywood is mourning the loss and sharing emotional tributes to the late actor. The actor passed away on March 4, 2019 at the age of 52 after previously suffering a “massive” stroke on February 27, 2019. Luke Perry rose to fame on Beverly Hills, 90210 as Dylan McKay and went on to star in films including The Fifth Element, 8 Seconds, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer and most recently starred on the hit teen drama Riverdale as Fred Andrews. In his many years in the industry, he was known as a humble and caring man with a passion for acting. His loss is being felt by many, and here are some emotional tributes from those in Hollywood including his costars, friends, and those who simply adored Perry and his work.
Shannen Doherty
Actress Shannen Doherty who played Perry’s on-screen love interest Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210 has had a very difficult time coping with his death. “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,” the 47-year-old said in a statement. She later shared an Instagram tribute to her former costar, writing, “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.”
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Mark Harris
Entertainment journalist Mark Harris was one of the first to speak out following the news of Perry’s passing. Harris, who works at Vulture, reminisced about working at Entertainment Weekly during its early days while Beverly Hills, 90210 was at the height of its popularity. “When I was at EW in its first days, 90210 was one of the earliest phenomena we rode. Luke Perry pretty much could have had the cover every week. The world made it very possible for him to be terrible. Instead he was modest and gracious. I’m terribly saddened by his passing,” Harris shared.
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Molly Ringwald
Riverdale brought icons of the ’80s and ’90s together when Molly Ringwald was hired as Fred Andrews’ estranged wife Mary Andrews on the popular series. The actress shared a sweet tribute following the news of her costar’s passing, writing, “My heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family #LukePerry.”
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Marisol Nichols
Actress Marisol Nichols, who stars as Hermione Lodge on Riverdale, and whose character had a fling with Perry’s character Fred Andrews on the show, couldn’t bring herself to share her thoughts just yet as she deals with passing. Nichols simply shared a photo of the two together and wrote, “I don’t have any words. Maybe I will later.”
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Madelaine Petsch
Actress Madelaine Petsch who plays Cheryl Blossom on Riverdale took to her Instagram one day after the actor’s passing to share an emotional post alongside a cast photo. “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. 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,” she wrote.
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Madchen Amick
Actress Madchen Amick, who stars as Alice Cooper, another parent on Riverdale shared her message on social media. “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 our 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.” She also shared another message on Twitter, writing, “Please. I beg of you to show Luke’s beautiful family the respect and privacy that they deserve during this devastating time. Sending love to them.”
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Lili Reinhart
Riverdale actress Lili Reinhart, who plays Alice Cooper’s daughter Betty Cooper, also expressed her sadness on Twitter, writing, “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.” Reinhart also shared an emotional poem about the loss on her Instagram stories.
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Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Riverdale creator and executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa also shared his own message on social media. He shared a photo of Perry on set with an Andrews Construction Co. hat on, and wrote, “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.”
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Yvette Nicole Brown
Actress Yvette Nicole Brown shared a sweet photo of herself and Perry in her tribute and reflected on their time working on the same show. “I worked with him just once, on an episode of #PoundPuppies where our cartoon characters fell I love. We didn’t record together but it is still a career highlight for me. My Cookie loved Luke’s coyote character for REAL real. But I had already been in love with #LukePerry since I was a teenager watching #DylanMcKay break hearts all up and thru Beverly Hills 90120. I met him and got to chat with him just this one time in 2017.”
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Ian Ziering
For a decade, Ian Ziering and Luke Perry starred together on Beverly Hills, 90210 as Steve Sanders and Dylan McKay. Ziering posted a touching photo following the news of Perry’s stroke and after the news of his death shared another emotional post. Ziering shared a recent photo of the two and wrote, “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.”
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Selma Blair
Actress Selma Blair simply wanted to share her admiration for the actor even though they had not worked together closely. “Luke Perry. One of the kindest men I had ever met. I did not have the pleasure of really knowing him but we all wanted to. My heart feels so much breaking for his family and friends. I am sorry. Rest In Peace #lukeperry,” she shared along with a photo of the actor.
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Riverdale Writers Room
The writers of the series Riverdale were quick to share an emotional statement on Twitter, writing, “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.” They also updated their Twitter bio to read, “Season 3 is dedicated to our lovely family member and friend, Luke Perry.”
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Riverdale EPS, Warner Bros. Television and The CW
In a joint statement Warner Bros. Television, The CW, and Riverdale executive producers Greg Berlanti, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Sarah Schechter and Jon Goldwater shared a tribute following Perry’s passing: “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.”
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Ryan Seacrest
Radio host, television host and Hollywood businessman Ryan Seacrest also shared some kind words for Perry. “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.”
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Joss Whedon
Iconic director and television creator and writer Joss Whedon reminisced on when he met Luke Perry while working on the 1992 Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie, “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.”
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Emma Caulfield Ford
Emma Caulfield Ford, who starred alongside Perry in Beverly Hills, 90210 when she appeared as Susan Keats, shared several messages on Twitter after the actor’s passing. “Oh God. I’m heart sick. I love you Luke. You were an angel and a friend to me. Loss for words. #LukePerry. My first day on 90210 Luke brought me under his wings & made me feel welcome. His first words to me were “so how are the bitches treating you ?” It made me laugh & I felt like I had an ally in my corner. You set a tone and made sure I could thrive. It was my first real gig and..2/2 and your kindness was rarely matched. God bless you Luke. You’re with the rest of the angels. #RIPLukePerry you will be missed.” “One last thing about Luke, in a time where the #metoo movement has cast a deserved light on the bad men who have mistreated women in Hollywood and elsewhere, let it be remembered that Luke was a real man- kind, supportive, open hearted vulnerable, strong, and fair. #RIPLukePerry.”
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Leonardo DiCaprio
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio was one of the last to work with Perry as the actor finished filming on their upcoming film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood only days before his death. “Luke Perry was a kindhearted and incredibly talented artist. It was an honor to be able to work with him. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his loved ones,” DiCaprio shared.
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Donnie Wahlberg
Donnie Wahlberg shared an emotional tribute to the late actor with a sweet Instagram post, sharing, “Rest Luke — the same way you always treated me (and anyone I ever introduced you to, no matter how much they screamed and squealed with excitement) — in peace. #RIPLukePerry Cherish every moment.”
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Christine Elise McCarthy
Actress Christine Elise McCarthy who appeared as Emily Valentine in Beverly Hills, 90210 alongside Perry shared a sweet photo of herself with the actor and Jason Priestly, writing, “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. 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.”
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JoAnna Garcia Swisher
Actress JoAnna Garcia Swisher who starred alongside Perry in 2008’s TV movie A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride shared some sweet photos of the pair working together and an emotional message. “I’m am so deeply saddened by the passing of Luke. I was lucky enough to work with him and was blown away by his kindness. He glowed from within. I know he will be incredibly missed by so many…including me. My deepest condolences to his family, especially his children, whom he always spoke of with so much love and adoration. Rest in peace, Luke.”