Luke Perry Dies Five Days After Suffering Massive Stroke

Former heartthrob Luke Perry, a fixture on Fox teen drama “Beverly Hills, 90210” in the 1990s, died Monday, five days after suffering a stroke, He was 52. The actor was hospitalized Wednesday morning after paramedics responded to a call from his Sherman Oaks home.

“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,” Perry’s rep, Arnold Robinson, said in a statement.

Born in Mansfield, Ohio, Perry became a household name on “90210,” and segued into regularly scheduled roles on TV series “Oz,” “Jeremiah,” “Windfall” and “John From Cincinnati.” Presently, he was a co-star on The CW’s “Riverdale” as the father of Archie, based on the classic comic book series.

Perry also filmed a role in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming Charles Manson movie, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” A reboot of “90210” was just announced on Wednesday with the bulk of the original cast, but Luke had not signed on to be a regular on the series. 

“Riverdale” has shut down production. Said executive producers Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa in a statement (along with Warner Bros. Television and the CW):

“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.”