Actor Luke Perry died on March 4, days after being hospitalized for suffering a stroke.
Representatives for Perry didn’t immediately return Newsweek’s request for comment, but his publicist issued a statement on the actor’s death to BuzzFeed News. It was confirmed that he suffered from a “massive stroke.”
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“He was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancée 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 statement read. “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.”
NBC News initially reported paramedics responded to a call at Perry’s Sherman Oaks, California, home last Wednesday morning. TMZ and The Blast published audio from the 911 call, where “stroke” was mentioned and the 52-year-old’s blood pressure was taken. “Mr. Perry is currently under observation at the hospital. He is not in a coma,” his representative said in a statement issued to Newsweek on Thursday.
Perry was best known for playing Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210 from 1990 to 2000. Unlike many of his fellow former castmates, he was not expected to appear in the upcoming revival series slated to debut on Fox this summer. He most recently played Fred Andrews, father to Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) and estranged husband to Mary Andrews (Molly Ringwald), on The CW’s Riverdale.
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In response to Perry’s death, the Riverdale writers issued a statement via Twitter to honor the late actor. “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,” the writer’s tweeted Monday.
While Perry’s role on Riverdale was a supporting part, he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2017 that he enjoyed playing a father who was “grounded” and someone who “really cares” for his son Archie. He also enjoyed that the show allowed him to not be front-and-center, despite his star status.
“I don’t need to be in every episode. I don’t need to be the frontman of the show,” he told THR. “I like being in a position where I can support KJ. Most of my scenes are with KJ, and I’m lucky that we have a really good chemistry, a really natural flow. He’s a great kid.”
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