Luke Perry dead at 52 following massive stroke
TMZ, the actor was awake and alert when paramedics got to his home, but his condition deteriorated by the time he was hospitalized. A rep for Perry initially disputed TMZ’s story, which claimed he was in a medically induced coma, stating the actor was simply sedated. Doctors hoped sedation would give his brain a chance to recover, but the damage was too severe." data-reactid="26">The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a “medical assistance” call on Feb. 27 at an address matching Perry’s. According to
TMZ, the actor was awake and alert when paramedics got to his home, but his condition deteriorated by the time he was hospitalized. A rep for Perry initially disputed TMZ’s story, which claimed he was in a medically induced coma, stating the actor was simply sedated. Doctors hoped sedation would give his brain a chance to recover, but the damage was too severe.
Related: Luke Perry’s most memorable roles: ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ heartthrob, ‘Riverdale’ dad and more
Riverdale, rose to fame as a heartthrob in the ’90s. He got his foot in the door in Hollywood with a 10-episode appearance on
Another World (1988-89), but it was landing the role of Dylan McKay on Aaron Spelling’s teen drama
Beverly Hills, 90210 that catapulted him into stardom." data-reactid="28">Perry, who was starring as Fred Andrews on the CW series
Riverdale, rose to fame as a heartthrob in the ’90s. He got his foot in the door in Hollywood with a 10-episode appearance on
Another World (1988-89), but it was landing the role of Dylan McKay on Aaron Spelling’s teen drama
Beverly Hills, 90210 that catapulted him into stardom.
Rolling Stone in 1992. Added creator Darren Star, “When Luke walked into the audition it was like, ‘Wow, that’s the person.’ He seems exactly like James Dean to me, but it isn’t a conscious imitation — he’s really being himself.” Spelling fought to make him a series regular, not just a guest star, and it changed Perry’s life forever." data-reactid="29">“After the pilot, we felt there should be someone who is a little dangerous, a little on the edge, and we came up with the Dylan character,” Spelling told
Rolling Stone in 1992. Added creator Darren Star, “When Luke walked into the audition it was like, ‘Wow, that’s the person.’ He seems exactly like James Dean to me, but it isn’t a conscious imitation — he’s really being himself.” Spelling
fought to make him a series regular, not just a guest star, and it changed Perry’s life forever.
Beverly Hills, 90210 gained a cult-like following, Perry was mobbed with young girls chasing him wherever he would go. In one instance in 1992, thousands of teens rushed a portable stage, constructed for the actor’s appearance, and squashed each other, with a dozen people getting rushed to a hospital." data-reactid="30">For years, as
Beverly Hills, 90210 gained a cult-like following, Perry was mobbed with young girls chasing him wherever he would go. In one instance in 1992, thousands of teens rushed a portable stage, constructed for the actor’s appearance, and squashed each other, with a dozen people getting rushed to a hospital.
“I don’t like that,” Perry told
Rolling Stone. “I mean, I could understand if I was [Elvis Presley].” He had to stop doing public appearances.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 1994’s
8 Seconds, but it was his role on
90210 that defined him. That’s why in 1995, he exited the Fox series to pursue other projects. Perry starred in independent films like
Normal Life and
American Strays and appeared in
The Fifth Element, but found more success on television. He returned to
90210 in 1998, where he remained until the series ended in 2000." data-reactid="32">Perry dabbled in film, like in 1992’s
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 1994’s
8 Seconds, but it was his role on
90210 that defined him. That’s why in 1995, he exited the Fox series to pursue other projects. Perry starred in independent films like
Normal Life and
American Strays and appeared in
The Fifth Element, but found more success on television. He returned to
90210 in 1998, where he remained until the series ended in 2000.
Oz in 2001, starred in the post-apocalyptic TV series
Jeremiah from 2002 to 2004, and had starring roles on both NBC’s
Windfall, in 2006, and HBO’s
John from Cincinnati, in 2007, both of which only lasted one season. In the years that followed, Perry had various guest-starring roles on television
(Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,
Criminal Minds,
Community), and appeared in several TV movies and in some smaller films. Although he floated around television for years, Perry had no interest in ever reprising his role as Dylan McKay. When
90210 was revived by the CW in 2008, he would not participate, despite original costars Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling jumping on board." data-reactid="33">Perry played the Rev. Jeremiah Cloutier on HBO’s
Oz in 2001, starred in the post-apocalyptic TV series
Jeremiah from 2002 to 2004, and had starring roles on both NBC’s
Windfall, in 2006, and HBO’s
John from Cincinnati, in 2007, both of which only lasted one season. In the years that followed, Perry had various guest-starring roles on television
(Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,
Criminal Minds,
Community), and appeared in several TV movies and in some smaller films. Although he floated around television for years, Perry had no interest in ever reprising his role as Dylan McKay. When
90210 was revived by the CW in 2008, he would not participate, despite original costars Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling jumping on board.
said." data-reactid="34">“The difference between CW bringing something back and Aaron Spelling doing something back is significant. And I cannot do it without Aaron,” Perry
said.
Beverly Hills, 90210 reboot
was officially announced last week, with a majority of the original cast returning, Perry was not one of them. Instead, he was quite content at his new home on
Riverdale, where his TV comeback came in 2016 — only this time, Perry played the dad to the show’s teen sensation (K.J. Apa stars as Archie Andrews).
The Hollywood Reporter in 2017. “I like playing the dad because I like being a dad, and I think it’s a great character in the milieu of this show that I’m the grounded one. … I love that.”" data-reactid="38">“Well, here’s the deal I made with K.J. I’ll play the dad, and I’ll let you have the cool hair for the first five or six weeks, then I’m going to start bringing it,” Perry told
The Hollywood Reporter in 2017. “I like playing the dad because I like being a dad, and I think it’s a great character in the milieu of this show that I’m the grounded one. … I love that.”
Perry is survived by his two children, 21-year-old son Jack and 18-year-old daughter Sophie, whom he shared with ex-wife, Minnie Sharp. Perry and Sharp divorced in 2003 after 10 years together. The actor was notoriously private about his personal life. It was not public knowledge that he was even engaged to Wendy Madison Bauer until news of his death was confirmed.
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