Riverdale’s most recent episode aired Wednesday night, only two days after the passing of Luke Perry, the Beverly Hills 90210 vet who’d played Archie’s construction company-owning father Fred. There was no way the episode wouldn’t honor him, and so they did. As per ET Online, the episode closed with a simple tribute: a black screen on which were written the words “In Memoriam Luke Perry 1966-2019.”
That hurt.. You’ll be missed😔🙏🏻 #LukePerry #RIPLukePerry #Riverdale pic.twitter.com/vrwBtAhZpR
— Jojo Kraus (@jojo_kraus) March 7, 2019
Perry himself wasn’t absent from the episode either. Archie (KJ Apa) winds up betrayed and attacked in his own home. Fred rushes to his recue and tends to his wounds — a moment given unintended weight following the news of Perry’s death after suffering a massive stroke. Perry will presumably be seen at various points in the current season’s remaining two episodes.
Riverdale’s tribute is one of countless that have come through in the past two days, often over social media, and often involving heartbreaking tales, told by strangers and fellow actors alike, portraying him as a man of uncommon decency, who would go over and beyond to help friends and even strangers. (One from Colin Hanks is particularly gutting.)
Here are but a few:
https://twitter.com/sarajbenincasa/status/1102628508327534592?s=21
https://twitter.com/realmikecolter/status/1103355629530464257?s=21
I was fortunate enough to work w #LukePerry albeit briefly.Even in that short time,his caring manner,soft-spoken nature,&good humor spoke volumes as to his integrity&his kind soul.Thank you for touching so many lives.We lost you too soon. You’re remembered w love&respect by many. pic.twitter.com/8goSIqFssw
— Katherine McNamara (@Kat_McNamara) March 5, 2019
I cannot day enough good things about Luke. I had the pleasure to work w him playing his TV wife & remained friends throughout the yrs. He was such a kind, considerate, loving, generous, talented, caring man. I’m gutted by the loss of such a beautiful soul. RIP #LukePerry ❤️🙏😔 pic.twitter.com/jxaNS65Y1v
— Lana Parrilla (@LanaParrilla) March 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/AADaddario/status/1102788644593516544
When you die, people go out of their way to say nice things about you. Well, Luke Perry didn’t need to die to have that happen… If you’d asked me ten years ago I’d have told you what I’ll tell you now, Luke was a really really nice person. Thanks for everything Luke. Rest easy.
— Linden Ashby (@lindenashby) March 6, 2019
Even a story that begins with people remembering ogling him on a plane ends with him doing a good deed.
Hey @OfficialKimora remember when we were on that flight w/ #LukePerry & we fangirled so hard & asked him EVERY 90210 question? He was the perfect gentleman & heartthrob. He was kind when he probably just wanted to sleep. And he switched seats so we could sit together. 💔 #RIP
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) March 5, 2019
And then there was this post, from Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre Sacasa.
Going through pictures on my way to set. From the early days. With Luke in the middle. Our heart, always. Tonight’s episode of #Riverdale finds Fred doing what he does best–helping Archie. It is dedicated to Luke, as all episodes will be for the rest of our run. 💔❤️🏆 pic.twitter.com/Nx8iCFBoMe
— RobertoAguirreSacasa (@WriterRAS) March 6, 2019
(Via ET Online)
