Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale star Luke Perry passed away on Monday following his hospitalization last week for a massive stroke at age 52. Production on the CW series where he played Archie’s father, Fred Andrews, has shut down for the day following the shattering news with producers paying tribute to the actor as a “father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast” who was “incredibly generous” and “infused the set with love and kindness.”
Both to the current generation and previous ones, Perry will always be 90210‘s Dylan McKay, who was arguably Generation X’s answer to James Dean. He was impossibly, effortlessly cool and set hearts aflutter throughout the series’ 10 seasons. While his career never stalled in the aftermath of the teen soap opera, a new generation grew to appreciate Perry’s presence with Riverdale‘s continued success. Fans will also see him on the big screen in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood in July, but clearly, Perry was taken away too soon, and there’s an enormous outpouring after the sad news.
90210 co-star Ian Ziering Instagrammed an image of his longtime friend. “I will forever bask in the loving memories we’ve shared over the last thirty years,” Zierling wrote. “May your journey forward be enriched by the magnificent souls who have passed before you, just like you have done here for those you leave behind. God please give him a seat close to to you, he deserves it.”
Elsewhere, the first thought that came to mind was Perry’s eternal cool factor.
In 1992 I was about 14 and was desperate to be as cool as Dylan McKay. It didn’t happen. It was never going to, because I’m not Luke Perry.
RIP. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/bb04OjvaGP
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) March 4, 2019
RIP Luke Perry. In high school we all wanted to be as cool as you.
— Bryan Greenberg (@bryangreenberg) March 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/HumanityAddict/status/1102646333289259008
Generation X is my generation, those of us born between mid-1960s and the early 1980s. The actor Luke Perry was one of the biggest pop culture icons of us all, as we came of age in the 1990s. And now he is gone too soon, at age 52. Rest, finally, brother: https://t.co/VNkixTCkG4 pic.twitter.com/3Ml1NdO60z
— Kevin Powell (@kevin_powell) March 4, 2019
Public figures soon chimed in to highlight Perry’s giving nature, his inspiring ways, and his wonderful sense of humor.
Luke Perry was a great actor and truly one of a kind. Watching him on 90210 was one of the reasons why I wanted to move to LA. Thinking of his family and friends on and off the set. Rest in peace.
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) March 4, 2019
I'm so sad about Luke Perry he was such a kind person. Enthusiastic and encouraging to everyone around him. <3 #RIP
— Felicia Day🇺🇸 (@feliciaday) March 4, 2019
My heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family. ❤️ #LukePerry
— Molly Ringwald (@MollyRingwald) March 4, 2019
So sad. Luke Perry #beverlyhills90210 #riverdale I met him when I was 19 and when we re-met in our 40’s both promoting our #CW roles and shows. I didn’t think he would remember our crazy… https://t.co/QPdVMoxYw0
— John Barrowman MBE (@JohnBarrowman) March 4, 2019
Dear lord, he was possibly my first major crush growing up. RIP Luke Perry! This is horrible news.
— Tina Desai (@tinadesai07) March 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/oliviamunn/status/1102643905332473858
The first time I met Luke Perry we talked about what kind of movie we wanted “Buffy” to be. I asked if he’d ever seen “Near Dark” and he gave me a look of HOW DARE YOU SIR and I knew we’d get along. Funny, committed, and always gracious. He shouldn’t be gone.
— Joss Whedon (@joss) March 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/PattyArquette/status/1102636315554836482
Heartbreaking. Absolutely heartbreaking. RIP #LukePerry https://t.co/hVnP3yGUJy
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) March 4, 2019
Super sad to hear the news about actor Luke Perry. Interviewed him several times, always such a lovely gentleman. Great guy. God bless him and his family. pic.twitter.com/YZq59joDK3
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) March 4, 2019
And perhaps most importantly, many tweets highlighted how Perry was awesome to everyone, including bar employees, journalists, and dogs. He will be missed by every generation.
Luke Perry was very kind to bar staff, which is some of the highest praise you can give to famous people. RIP
— Brandy Jensen (@BrandyLJensen) March 4, 2019
I spoke briefly with Luke Perry on a red carpet once. He ragged on his young costars, made me laugh a lot, and was as twinkly-eyed and roguishly appealing as he was when he was a teen. Sending love to everyone who knew and loved him.
— Sage Young (@sageyoungest) March 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/jeedswonderland/status/1102630350851895297
https://www.instagram.com/santinamuha/p/Bub5lsDAuLm/
Generation X is my generation, those of us born between mid-1960s and the early 1980s. The actor Luke Perry was one of the biggest pop culture icons of us all, as we came of age in the 1990s. And now he is gone too soon, at age 52. Rest, finally, brother: https://t.co/VNkixTCkG4 pic.twitter.com/3Ml1NdO60z
— Kevin Powell (@kevin_powell) March 4, 2019
Rest in peace Luke Perry. I still have this Vanity Fair magazine. pic.twitter.com/2Db5lVkde3
— Ionna Trayler (@alfiefairbairn) March 4, 2019
Rest easy Luke Perry ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FtVq7vSwQV
— no context riverdale (@nocontextrvd) March 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/danceremix/status/1102644273470730240
He was beautiful. Now as an angel I bet he's even more beautiful with wings.
Luke Perry, 90210 pic.twitter.com/JMr0y4VVG0— Isabella Steele (@MsBellaSteele) March 4, 2019