With a career of iconic roles, Luke Perry resonated with generations of viewers , and it's with especially heavy hearts that we share the news of his passing at the age of 52.
According to multiple sources, including The Hollywood Reporter, Luke Perry's publicist, Arnold Robinson, has confirmed that the actor passed away after experiencing a "massive stroke." Here is the official statement from Robinson:
"He 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."
Although perhaps best known for his role as Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210, Perry is also well-remembered for playing Pike, Buffy's love interest and co-fighter against the undead in 1992's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as Billy in Luc Besson's The Fifth Element.
Throughout the ’90s, Perry also enjoyed a great voice acting run on a wide range of shows, including Biker Mice from Mars, Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, and The Incredible Hulk.
In the early 2000s, Perry played the recurring role of Reverend Jeremiah Cloutier on Oz, and he can be seen as Scott Lancer in Quentin Tarantino's upcoming Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
While their parents may know him best from 90210 (on which he also directed two episodes), a generation of younger viewers have watched Perry over the last several years on Riverdale. As Fred Andrews, the father of Archie (KJ Apa), Perry has been a stalwart and endlessly inspiring figure, always there to give Archie advice when the horrors of life become too much to bear. Whether his son was dealing with a serial killer or too much homework, Perry's Fred was always there to share his wisdom, not only with his son, but with all of us.
Perry's sound advice and positive presence will surely be missed on and off-screen, but the wonderful work he left behind will no doubt continue to inspire generations to come. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.
When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.
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