Remembering Luke Perry, dead at 52

By Veronica Rocha, Meg Wagner and Brian Ries, CNN

Updated 4:47 p.m. ET, March 4, 2019
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4:47 p.m. ET, March 4, 2019

Looking back at Luke Perry's life and career

Luke Perry, who played the beloved Dylan McKay on the hit coming-of-age series "Beverly Hills 90210," died Monday. He was 52.

We're wrapping up our live coverage, but if you're looking for more on Perry's life and career, you can...

3:17 p.m. ET, March 4, 2019

"90210" star Gabrielle Carteris: Perry "fought for the underdog"

 Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
 Phillip Faraone/Getty Images

Gabrielle Carteris, who played Andrea Zuckerman in "Beverly Hills 90210," described her late costar Luke Perry as a "tremendous force."

In a statement, Carteris said she was "absolutely heartbroken" by Perry's death.

Read her full statement:

“I am absolutely heartbroken. Luke was a tremendous force in the lives of so many. He was a very sensitive soul who was kind, generous and he fought for the underdog. He was a strong voice and an advocate who will be so missed by all who knew him. He has left his mark – never to be forgotten. My heart goes out to his family, friends and fans around the globe.”

 

2:28 p.m. ET, March 4, 2019

Production of "Riverdale" temporarily halted after Luke Perry's death

From CNN’s Sandra Gonzalez

Upon news of actor Luke Perry’s death, production on his television series “Riverdale” was shut down for the day, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.  

In a statement to CNN, the studio and the executive producers of “Riverdale” said:

"We are deeply saddened to learn today about the passing of Luke Perry. A beloved member of the Riverdale, Warner Bros. and CW family, Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all. A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness. Our thoughts are with Luke’s family during this most difficult time."
2:03 p.m. ET, March 4, 2019

"Beverly Hills 90210" cast member Ian Ziering remembers Perry

Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for SiriusXM

Actor Ian Ziering, who played Steve Sanders in "Beverly Hills 90210," tweeted a short message for his late costar Luke Perry.

"I will forever bask in the loving memories we've shared over the last thirty year," Ziering said in the tweet.

Read it below:

2:00 p.m. ET, March 4, 2019

"Riverdale" writers: "Rest in love and peace, friend"

Luke Perry (third from the left in the back row) was part of the cast of "Riverdale"
Luke Perry (third from the left in the back row) was part of the cast of "Riverdale" Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

The official Twitter account for the Writers Room of "Riverdale" remembered Luke Perry as a "joyful and vibrant soul" on Monday.

Perry played Archie Andrews' father Fred in the hit CW drama, which was based on the characters from the Archie comics.

Here's the message from the writers:

1:45 p.m. ET, March 4, 2019

From bad boy to protective father: These were Luke Perry's most memorable roles

From CNN's Lisa Respers France

Luke Perry started off as a teen heartthrob and was most recently seen as a protective dad on "Riverdale."

But it was his role as seemingly bad boy Dylan McKay on Fox’s “Beverly Hills 90210” in 1990 which shot Perry into the atmosphere. The series was both wildly popular and also criticized because of its willingness to take on controversial topics such as teens being sexually active.

“We have done some shows that dealt with pretty some touchy topics and people weren’t altogether happy with how we dealt with it,” Perry said during an appearance on “The Arsenio Hall Show” in the 1990s. “I thought we handled it pretty intelligently and we were willing to answer the questions we brought up.”

Perry’s character was so popular among fans that in 1991 an expected crowd of 2,000 at a Florida mall turned into a stampede of 10,000 when he appeared at an autograph signing.

See a few of his memorable roles:

1:35 p.m. ET, March 4, 2019

Celebrities mourn Luke Perry's death: "He shouldn't be gone"

Celebrities are reacting to the news of the death of Luke Perry, who died Monday after suffering massive stroke. He was 52.

Here's what they are saying:

Joss Whedon

Baywatch star Nicole Eggert

Actress Molly Ringwald

Actor Scott Foley

1:27 p.m. ET, March 4, 2019

Luke Perry, star of "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Riverdale," dies after stroke

From CNN's Lisa Respers France

Luke Perry, who played the beloved Dylan McKay on the hit coming-of-age series "Beverly Hills 90210," has died, his publicist Arnold Robinson tells CNN.

He was 52.

Perry died Monday after suffering a massive stroke, his publicist Arnold Robinson told CNN.

"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," a statement from Robinson read.