Luke Perry Star of Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale dies at 52
US actor Luke Perry has died in California at the age of 52,
less than a week after suffering a massive stroke.
His
publicist said Perry died surrounded by his family and friends.
Perry
rose to fame on Beverly Hills, 90210 and had been starring as Fred Andrews on
the CW show Riverdale.
Last
Wednesday, US media reported that paramedics had been called to the actor's home
in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles.
Perry
had recently been shooting scenes for Riverdale at the Warner Bros film lot.
Perry's
children, Jack and Sophie, fiancée Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp,
mother Ann Bennett, step-father Steve Bennett, and his siblings, Tom Perry and
Amy Coder, were with him when he passed, publicist Arnold Robinson said in a
statement.
"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," Mr Robinson said.
The family has not provided additional details at this time.
Riverdale
has stopped production following news of Perry's death, US media reported.
In
a statement, Riverdale's executive producers, WBTV and the CW network, said
Perry was "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."
Last
Wednesday, US media reported that paramedics had been called to the actor's
home in Sherman Oaks.
Perry, a native of Ohio, was famous for starring in Beverly
Hills 90210 from 1990 to 2000. A reboot of the series was also announced on
Wednesday, though it was not clear whether Perry planned to make any guest
appearances.
His
former 90210 co-star Shannen Doherty - who played Perry's love interest on the
show - told Entertainment Tonight on
Sunday in an emotional interview that she had been in touch with him after his
stroke.
"I
can't talk about it here 'cause I will literally start crying but I love him
and he knows I love him. It's Luke, and he's my Dylan."
Perry
also starred in television show Oz, as well as films including Buffy the
Vampire Slayer, 8 Seconds and The Fifth Element.
His
most recent role was on the hit television teen drama series Riverdale, based
on the Archie comics, where he played the titular character's father.
What's the reaction?
Online,
Perry's fans and fellow celebrities have begun paying tribute.
Sarah
Michelle Geller, the star of the Buffy series, shared that she was comforting
Doherty over Perry's death, adding: "This is not how it's supposed to
happen.
Luke
Perry fans remember and pay tribute to 'nicest guy'
Fans
remember Beverly Hills 90210 star Luke Perry
