Former soap star Luke Perry (ex-Kenny, Another World; ex-Ned Bates, Loving), who suffered a massive stroke last Wednesday, has died. The Ohio native was 52 years old.
A Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson told E! last week that authorities responded to a 9-1-1 call about an unspecified medical request at 9:39AM on Wednesday morning from the actor's home in Sherman Oaks. Paramedics transported Perry to a hospital in the area, where he was kept under observation.
A representative for the actor, who rose to fame as heartthrob Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210 and most recently played Archie's dad on Riverdale, reveals that doctors sedated Perry with the hopes of giving his brain a chance to recover from the trauma of the stroke, but the damage was too extensive.
Perry's children, Jack and Sophie; fiancée, Wendy Madison Bauer; ex-wife, Minnie Sharp; mother, Ann Bennett; stepfather, Steve Bennett; and siblings, Tom Perry and Amy Coder, were with him when he passed, publicist Arnold Robinson said in a statement.
"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," Mr. Robinson said.
Two of Perry's earliest acting credits include the 1988 role of Ned Bates on Loving and the 1988 to 1989 role of Kenny on Another World. In addition to his eight -season stint as Dylan on 90210, Perry's non-daytime acting credits include The Incredible Hulk, Oz, Body of Proof, and Ties That Bind. He's also known for films like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Fifth Element.
The same day Perry was hospitalized, it was announced that Beverly Hills, 90210 is being rebooted. Perry wasn't confirmed as joining the new version of the series, but Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth, Brian Austin Green, Tori Spelling, and Ian Ziering have all signed on to the reboot. E! reports Perry was unable to reprise his role as Dylan due to contractual obligations with Riverdale.
Several daytime stars have taken to social media to express their sadness over Perry's passing.
"Deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Luke Perry," wrote Karla Mosley (Maya Avant, The Bold and the Beautiful). "While I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, I only heard the sweetest stories about this man. Life is so precious. I'm grateful for his gifts of talent and kindness."
Deeply saddened to hear about the loss of #LukePerry. While I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, I only heard the sweetest stories about this man. Life is so precious. I'm grateful for his gifts of talent and kindness.
- Karla Mosley (@karlamosley) March 4, 2019
"I grew up watching his beautiful face," wrote Alicia Minshew (ex-Kendall Hart, All My Children). "Gone way too soon. Thinking of his family at this terribly sad time."
No no no!!! I grew up watching his beautiful face. Gone way too soon. Thinking of his family at this terribly sad time. 😥🙏❤️ https://t.co/ad7YiauxFn
- Alicia Minshew (@alicia_minshew) March 4, 2019
"My heart goes out to his friends and family," shared Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady, Days of our Lives). "Such a tragic loss."
My heart goes out to his friends and family. Such a tragic loss. #RIPLukePerry https://t.co/YtY03I0EOk
- Alison Sweeney (@Ali_Sweeney) March 4, 2019
"It's so sad to hear that actor Luke Perry has passed," wrote Aiden Turner (ex-Aidan Devane, AMC). "Condolences to his family, his wife and two children. R.I.P brother. You'll be very missed by us all."
It's so sad to hear that actor Luke Perry has passed. Condolences to his family , his wife and two children.
- Aiden Turner (@aidenturner) March 4, 2019
R.I.P brother. You'll be very missed by us all.
"Noooooo! Luke Perry, noooo! My first huge TV crush, had Dylan Mckay posters all over my room," wrote Melissa Claire Egan (ex-Chelsea Lawson, The Young and the Restless; ex-Annie Chandler Lavery, AMC). "This is heartbreaking. May he Rest in Peace. Life really is so fragile. Much love to his family."
Noooooo! Luke Perry, noooo! My first huge tv crush, had Dylan Mckay posters all over my room. This is heartbreaking. May he Rest in Peace. Life really is so fragile. Much love to his family??
— Melissa Claire Egan (@MClaireEgan) March 4, 2019
"Rest In Peace, Luke," wrote Parry Shen (Brad Cooper, GH). "Thanks for helping a kid walk a little taller in life."
Rest In Peace, Luke. Thanks for helping a kid walk a little taller in life. https://t.co/TCFJdUWWMM pic.twitter.com/i7bmwFXo2V
— Parry Shen (@parryshen) March 4, 2019
"Luke Perry. Way, WAY too young to be gone," wrote Jon Lindstrom (Kevin Collins/Ryan Chamberlain, General Hospital). "Guys like him made this world just a little more colorful."
Luke Perry. Way, WAY too young to be gone. Guys like him made this world just a little more colorful. #RIP #LukePerry https://t.co/QMxAvbQsyR
— Jon Lindstrom (@thejonlindstrom) March 4, 2019
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