From his “Beverly Hills 90210” co-stars to those who worked with him on CW’s “Riverdale,” Perry is being remembered as a guy as seemingly cool as the character who made him famous.
Shannen Doherty is devastated over the loss of her castmate and friend Luke Perry.
“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,” Doherty, 47, exclusively tells PEOPLE about Perry, who died Monday at age 52 after suffering a massive stroke days earlier.
Doherty starred alongside Perry on Beverly Hills, 90210 for years — the actress as Brenda Walsh and Perry as Dylan McKay (he appeared from 1990-95 and again in 1998 until 2000).
Earlier this week she said “I can’t talk about it here ’cause I will literally start crying but I love him and he knows I love him,” said Doherty. “It’s Luke, and he’s my Dylan.”
Although the costars drifted apart when the show went off the air, they reconnected after Doherty went public with her breast cancer diagnosis in 2015.
Luke was a smart, quiet, humble and complex man with a heart of gold and never-ending well of integrity and love. Luke reached out to me during my cancer journey and we picked right back up, albeit older and wiser, but that connection remained in tact,” says Doherty, who opened up about being in remission in September.
Although the duo wasn’t signed on to return for the upcoming Beverly Hills, 90210 reboot alongside their original castmates, both Doherty and Perry hoped to work together again on “something special and meaningful” for fans.
“There is a special kind of love one has for each other when you are experiencing the journey we did on 90210 and of course life in general. Luke and I were working on show ideas for us. We wanted to work with each other again and create something special and meaningful for our fans at this stage in our lives,” shares Doherty. “I will miss him everyday. Every minute. Every second.”
“Luke loved his family. He raved about his kids and how proud he was of them. He showed me videos of the often,” adds Doherty. “They were his heart and for him, his biggest accomplishment.”
CNN reports that with a career that took off in a famous zip code and was bookended all too soon in a town called Riverdale, Luke Perry had an acting career that spanned decades and touched multiple generations of television viewers.
His reach can be seen in the breadth of peers and colleagues who are remembering Perry upon news of his death at age 52.
Perry died Monday after suffering what his publicist said was “a massive stroke.”
“Dearest Luke, I will forever bask in the loving memories we’ve shared over the last thirty years. 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.” – Ian Ziering
“My entire high school experience was shaped by Brenda and Dylan. Now I have to hold my dear friend Shannon Doherty’s hand, while she mourns the loss of Luke Perry. This is not how it’s supposed to happen. I hope his family knows many lives he touched. ‘I chose. I chose you. I want you. I’ve always wanted you’ – my favorite quote” – Sarah Michelle Gellar
“With the heaviest of hearts, I am devastated to@tell you we lost Luke. I am still in shock and I have no words beyond saying he was a truly kind gentleman. He will be mourned and missed by everyone who know him and the millions who love him.RIP, dearie Luke. Your time here was far too short.” – Christine Elise McCarthy
“Luke Perry was a kindhearted and incredibly talented artist. It was an honor to be able to work with him. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his loved ones.” – Leonardo di Caprio
My heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family – Molly Ringwald
Luke Perry
you
made every
situation better,
my man.your
elegance
your wit
your charm
and
your giant heart,
inspired and
enchanted so many
of us,
on countless
occasions,
with brilliant aplomb.R.I.P good sir.
i am
truly honored
to have known you
all of these yearsCharlie Sheen
via CNN – The People
