Celebrities pay tribute to Luke Perry, who was 'humble and kind'

Suzy Byrne
·Reporter

Luke Perry perfectly played the heartbreaker on Beverly Hills, 90210 — the most well known of his many roles — and his sudden death at 52 has left his colleagues and fans around the globe heartbroken.

Perry’s spokesman confirmed his death on Monday, days after a massive stroke, and social media was immediately flooded with tributes to the actor, who had been starring in Riverdale since 2016. There were sweet stories about working with him — or people saying they just wanted to be as cool as him. They all shared the similar sentiment — that he’s gone too soon.

Ian Ziering, Perry’s 90210 co-star, posted one of the sweetest ones. He wrote that he will “forever bask in the loving memories” they shared over the last three decades since they became megastars in the ’90s.

Shannen Doherty, who played Brenda to Perry’s Dylan on 90210, told People magazine, “I am in shock. Heartbroken. Devastated by the loss of my friend. I have so many memories with Luke that make me smile and that are forever imprinted on my heart and mind.” She called him “a smart, quiet, humble and complex man with a heart of gold and never-ending well of integrity and love.” And shared that he “reached out to me during my cancer journey and we picked right back up, albeit older and wiser, but that connection remained intact.” She ended by saying, “I will miss him everyday. Every minute. Every second.”

She later posted this:

Jennie Garth, who was love interest Kelly on the show, said in a statement to People: “My heart is broken. He meant so much to so many. Such a very special person. I share my deep sadness with his family and all who loved him. Such a terrible loss.”

Tori Spelling told People, “I’m saddened for his kids whom he adored beyond words. He was so proud of Jack and Sophie,” his two children with ex-wife Minnie Sharp. “Luke was one of the kindest and most humble human beings I’ve ever known,” she added. “I’m grateful for the years of friendship we had. He truly was family to me, a protector and a brother. I’m so sorry for the loss that everyone is experiencing.”

90210‘s Gabrielle Carteris also posted a note directly to Perry, saying he had a “mighty soul.”

Rebecca Gayheart, who played Dylan McKay’s bride Toni on 90210, also remembered their time together.

Molly Ringwald, who played his ex-wife on Riverdale, wrote, “Goodbye, my friend. I enjoyed dancing with you for a time…”

And other Riverdale co-stars — Lili Reinhart, Marisol Nichols, Casey Cott, Vanessa Morgan, M?dchen Amick and Asha Bromfield included— have been posting messages.

(Screenshot: Lili Reinhart via Instagram)
(Screenshot: Lili Reinhart via Instagram)
(Screenshot: Vanessa Morgan via Instagram)
(Screenshot: Vanessa Morgan via Instagram)

Perry’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star Kristy Swanson wrote that the “tears won’t stop & they never will.”

Stroke survivor Sharon Stone also paid tribute.

This story, shared by Colin Hanks, who randomly met Perry traveling, has received a lot of likes.

View this post on Instagram

I only met him once but the story is too good not tell given todays sad events. My wife and I are on a plane back from Mexico. Couple of rows ahead of us, these two brothers, young kids, are beating the hell out of eachother. Their poor parents are powerless to stop the crying, yelling and screaming. If you’re a parent you understand. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do. It was like this for close to two hours. Then about 10 minutes before landing it starts to get real bad. Out of no where, a man comes from first class. Hat, beard, sunglasses, blowing up a balloon. He ties it off, hands it off like he’s holding out a sword to a king. Kneeling, Head down, arms up. Kids calm down in milliseconds. Plane damn near bursts into applause. 15 minutes longer and it probably would have started WWIII, but we landed before that could happen. We get off the plane, are waiting on line in customs. Finally get a good look at the guy and I say to my wife “Holy shit. I think that balloon man/hero” is Luke Perry”. As luck would have it we end up standing next to each other. Out of the blue he turns to me and says some kind words about Fargo, which kinda blew my mind. I start singing his praises about how long I’ve admired him and also about the move with the balloon. “That’s a pro move! You can’t teach that!” I say. He tells me he always flies with a couple of balloons for that very reason, to give to screaming kids. Don’t know if that’s true, but have no reason to believe it wasn’t. Guy seemed like a true gent. Gone way too damn soon. Also, I’ll be damned if I don’t start traveling with some spare balloons #promove #rip #lukeperry #truegent

A post shared by Colin Hanks (@colinhanks) on Mar 4, 2019 at 6:34pm PST

And here are many, many more reactions:

The Arquettes all wrote about Perry’s friendship with the late Alexis Arquette.

View this post on Instagram

This one hits especially hard. Rest well 💔

A post shared by Kate Moennig (@kateomoennig) on Mar 4, 2019 at 10:45am PST

View this post on Instagram

💔💔💔

A post shared by Jennifer Love Hewitt (@jenniferlovehewitt) on Mar 4, 2019 at 10:25am PST

According to Perry’s rep, he was “surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancée 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” when he died on Monday. “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.”

The producers of Riverdale, the CW show which featured Perry as Fred Andrews, announced the show will be shutting down production following the news. In a statement, they called Perry “everything you would hope he would be” — and that included “an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart” as well as a “true friend” to all.

Read more on Yahoo Entertainment:

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