Actor Luke Perry died Monday at the age of 52.
His rep confirmed his death on Monday in a statement.
“Actor Luke Perry, 52, passed away today after suffering a massive stroke,” the statement reads. “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.”
READ MORE: Luke Perry in hospital after reportedly suffering stroke
Riverdale executive producers Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Jon Goldwater released a statement following news of Perry’s passing.
“We are deeply saddened to learn today about the passing of Luke Perry,” said the Riverdale executive producers, Warner Bros. TV and The CW in a statement. “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.”
Perry, who starred in Beverly Hills, 90210, had been hospitalized on Wednesday, his publicist said.
Arnold Robinson told The Associated Press that the 52-year-old actor was “currently under observation” at the hospital on Thursday.
Coincidentally, a 90210 reboot (of sorts) — not featuring Perry but the majority of the original cast — was confirmed on the same day.
READ MORE: Memorable moments from the life and career of Luke Perry
WATCH BELOW: Luke Perry hospitalized after reportedly suffering stroke
Paramedics responded to a 911 call at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at a home in the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles and took a patient to a hospital, the city’s fire department said. Public records list the address as Perry’s.
Born and raised in rural Fredericktown, Ohio, Perry was tapped for heartthrob status along with Canadian Jason Priestley on 90210, which ran from 1990 to 2000.
READ MORE: Luke Perry urges people to get colonoscopies after cancer scare
Perry had roles in a handful of films, including The Fifth Element, 8 Seconds and American Strays. He appeared in HBO’s prison drama Oz and voiced cartoons like The Incredible Hulk and Mortal Kombat. In recent years he starred in the series Ties That Bind and Body of Proof.
Perry played construction-company owner Fred Andrews, father of main character Archie Andrews, for three seasons on Riverdale, the CW series that gives a dark take on Archie comics, and has been slated for a fourth.
Perry’s former costars and friends took to social media to share their condolences after news of his passing spread.
Perry married Rachel Minnie Sharp in 1993, and they share two children Jack and Sophie. The couple was divorced in 2003.
— With files from The Associated Press and Chris Jancelewicz
Comments