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Actor Luke Perry passes away at 52

By Cheryl Wassenaar

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 07: Luke Perry speaks onstage at the Riverdale Sneak Peek and Q&A during New York Comic Con at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 7, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for New York Comic Con)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 07: Luke Perry speaks onstage at the Riverdale Sneak Peek and Q&A during New York Comic Con at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 7, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for New York Comic Con) /
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An actor who earned the adoration of two generations of teenage TV watchers, Luke Perry passed away earlier today at the age of 52.

Multiple outlets, including The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, have reported early this afternoon that actor Luke Perry has passed away. The Associated Press has also confirmed the news through his publicist. He was 52.

Perry suffered a massive stroke last Wednesday, which led to his hospitalization.

Publicist Arnold Robinson has shared the following statement with outlets:

"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."

Perry had something rather special among TV stars: the ability to capture not just one, but two generations of teens, with two distinct roles. Older viewers remember him best as Dylan McKay, one of the biggest appeals of Beverly Hills, 90210. Younger viewers remember him instead as Fred Andrews, Archie’s dad, on Riverdale. In both roles, he brought a certain weight to the production, first as the “bad boy” of 90210 and then as the conscience of Archie Andrews on Riverdale.

He also had roles on all sorts of shows and on film as well, including HBO’s Oz, Jeremiah on Showtime, and the upcoming Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. At this time, it is not known if his role will remain in the film, but principal photography wrapped in November 2018, according to IMDb.

He is survived by his children, mother, stepfather, fiancée, and a brother and a sister. All of them were by his side when he passed away, per the statement above.

Fans, those who knew him, and more have already started speaking out on Twitter:

At this time, it is unknown how much of his filming he completed on Riverdale season 3, nor how the show will deal with his death in its upcoming fourth season. We’ll bring you the latest as we know it.

Our thoughts are with those who loved him, his family, friends, and co-workers, from Riverdale to 90210.

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