Celebs React To Luke Perry's Death

Luke Perry, the actor best known for his role as Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210, died March 4, 2019, after suffering a stroke. He was only 52. The actor's publicist, Arnold Robinson, told CNN that Perry passed away surrounded by family and friends. "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 statement said.

Although his legacy as the epitome of the cool teen idol will remain forever, Perry built a prolific acting career with television, movies, and voice-over work, until ultimately coming full circle in another teen drama, Riverdale — this time as a father figure. His massive stardom during Beverly Hills 90210 launched him firmly in the zeitgeist, but his talent and kindness kept him there. "Sideshow Luke Perry" on The Simpsons, anyone? Remember who Cher was saving herself for in Clueless? How about Inspector Spacetime on Community? 

When news broke of his untimely death, the outpouring of love came from every corner of Hollywood. Uplifting stories never told (Colin Hanks' Luke Perry balloon story might make you choke up) offered a fresh glimpse of Luke Perry the man, not just the actor. Naturally, social media was also filled with messages expressing grief and loss. Here are some of the celebrity reactions to Luke Perry's death.

Edward and Bella had nothing on Luke and Brenda. Shannen Doherty starred alongside Luke Perry on Beverly Hills, 90210 as Brenda Walsh to his Dylan McKay, cementing them as one of the most endearing and tumultuous couples to ever grace a television screen. Their friendship lasted long after the series ended, and Doherty was overwhelmed by the loss of her on-screen love. "Yesterday morning I got a phone call that devastated me. I'm struggling with this loss and am having a hard time with my thoughts. But, my heart goes out to his family and friends who were blessed by his light in their (and mine) lives. Processing this is impossible right now," she wrote on Instagram. 

The Charmed actress also spoke with People about Perry's sudden passing. "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 said. "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," she said. "I will miss him everyday. Every minute. Every second."

Like Shannen Doherty, other castmates from Beverly Hills, 90201 expressed their sorrow and adoration. "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," wrote Ian Ziering, who played Steve Sanders on the show. 

Jennie Garth, who played Kelly Taylor, talked to People about the impact Perry had on her life. "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."

Gabrielle Carteris, who played Andrea Zuckerman, tweeted, "Dearest Luke- I am so heart broken and at a loss for words. You my friend were a mighty soul and have left your mark. My love and prayers to the family and all who loved you. RIP."

Christine Elise McCarthy, who played Emily Valentine, remembered Perry on Instagram with a photo from their days on set. "...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 knew him and the millions who love him. RIP, dearie Luke. Your time here was far too short," she wrote.

Before Buffy the Vampire Slayer achieved cult status on television, the movie version introduced us all to the cheerleader-turned-vampire hunter in 1992. Written by Joss Whedon and starring Kristy Swanson in the titular role, the production was limited to five weeks to accommodate the original Pike, Luke Perry's Beverly Hills 90210 filming schedule. His co-stars recalled those early days as they mourned Perry's death.

"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," Whedon tweeted.

"I abruptly woke at 4:30 am thinking about you Luke & I couldn't go back to sleep, then 5 hours later I hear you are gone. The tears won't stop & they never ever will. You were that guy, that forever friend, we always had each others back & I will always remember you this way," Swanson wrote, accompanied with a photo of Buffy and Pike's famous dance. "I cried for hours all morning, I went up stairs around noon, as I turned the corner on the landing I was face-to-face with our movie poster, Luke's face right there in front of me, I literally fell to my knees weeping uncontrollably. My heart keeps hurting this just can't be real," she said.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who rose to fame as the high school vampire killer in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted a sweet photo of Shannen Doherty and Luke Perry as Brenda and Dylan on Instagram. In the post, Geller explained the impact the television sweethearts had on her life and how she plans to console and support Doherty as she copes with the sudden loss of her dear friend. "My entire high school experience was shaped by Brenda and Dylan. Now I have to hold my dear friend @theshando hand, while she mourns the loss of #lukeperry This is not how it's supposed to happen," she wrote. "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."

Luke Perry's final role will be in Quentin Tarantino's much-anticipated Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Perry's unexpected death led one teen heartthrob to pay tribute to another. "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," Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio tweeted.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is set in 1969 Los Angeles and stars "Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton, the former star of a western TV series, and Brad Pitt as his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth." Margot Robbie plays Sharon Tate, "Charles Manson's most famous victim." Perry plays a character name Scott Lancer. The movie will reportedly open in theaters July 26, 2019.

Molly Ringwald, the '80s icon who played Luke Perry's estranged wife on Riverdale, took the news of Perry's death hard. "My heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family," tweeted the Sixteen Candles star.

Madchen Amick, who rose to fame in Twin Peaks and plays Alice Cooper (Betty Cooper's mother) on Riverdale also weighed in. "Luke had become a dear friend. We laughed. We cried. We shared out showbiz war stories. We shared how proud we are as parents," she tweeted. "I knew that he was always there for me no matter what. I'm so thankful for the time that we had together. He was an incredibly loving and generous man ... I will love you forever Luke."

If you were coming of age in the '90s, there is probably about a 50 percent chance you had a poster of Luke Perry on your wall. Possibly 75 percent. As "Gen X's teen heartthrob," Luke Perry turned Beverly Hills, 90210 into a cultural phenomenon and amassed legions of fangirls who went on to fame themselves. When news of Perry's death broke, several celebrities reminded everyone that teen idols will never die. 

"Luke Perry was my 1st crush. Eh, more like obsession (I wore pins w his face on them to school) I used to dream of making it to LA just to meet him. I never got to, but I've always heard he was a really great person. Praying for his family & kids.... Rest in love," Magic Mike actress Olivia Munn tweeted. 

"Luke Perry. My teen crush. I'm glad I got to tell you. Sheepishly red faced and all. You were lovely and you gave great hugs. Grateful to witness and experience your kindness and warmth. #RestInPeace love. Blessings to your family," tweeted Rent star Rosario Dawson.

American Horror Story actress Leslie Grossman also shared a story on Twitter about meeting Perry for the first time: "When I was lucky enough to work with Luke Perry I told him about the pillow of his face I used to sleep with and he yelled 'You are such a weirdo!' at me and it was the best. Sending love to his friends and family."

After the tragic news of his death spread across social media, the Arquette family revealed that Luke Perry was a close family friend. "My mom loved #LukePerry We all did. He lived at our house when he got cast in 90210 – He was a real farm kid. He could fix anything. Had a pet mini pig before anyone did. This is a picture of us at Alexis Bday [Karaoke] Party. He got me on #BuffyTheVampireSlayer. Thank you brother," tweeted David Arquette.

"Luke Perry – Irreplaceable beautiful and kind human being, incredible friend, generous actor and adoring father to Jack and Sophie and loving partner to Madison we are all heartbroken. You are the love and you are the light, added Patricia Arquette. 

"One of the memories that I have that is beautiful is when my mother was dying, Luke came and brought his new baby daughter and put her in bed with my mom, who was so happy," Rosanna Arquette said in a statement to People. "He was generous and kind and truly a beautiful soul. I'm so horribly broken-hearted for his family, his kids. Though I haven't seen them for awhile. Though I didn't see him a lot, when we did, we always had a warm and connected conversation. This is a terrible loss."

Although Luke Perry was close to the entire Arquette family, he counted Alexis Arquette among his closest friends. The transgender actress died in 2016 after a 29-year battle with HIV, and a tearful Perry was on hand for her emotional tribute during the 2017 GLAAD Awards. "I know Alexis is with him, I believe that," Rosanna Arquette told People after Perry's death. "They loved each other deeply and were so close. Luke never judged Alexis just loved her as she was. And it was a gift. Luke was a good man."

Due to his friendship with Alexis, Perry faced gay rumors during the peak of his fame, but he didn't care. "He and Lex were friends since they were kids and I remember many years ago, the height of the 90210 craze, they all said, 'Alexis Arquette is dating Luke. Luke is secretly gay,'" Patricia Arquette told Entertainment Tonight in 2017. "And Luke said, 'I'm not going to say that's not true, even though Alexis and I are just best friends because that would be to say there's something wrong with it, and there's nothing wrong with it.'"

"Look, when you love somebody, you love them. Bottom line," Perry explained at the GLAAD Awards. "And I loved Lex and Lex loved me, and I don't need to explain that to anybody."

America's Got Talent judge Gabrielle Union told an endearing story about her and Kimora Lee Simmons meeting Luke Perry. "Hey @OfficialKimora remember when we were on that flight w/ #LukePerry & we fangirled so hard & asked him EVERY 90210 question? He was the perfect gentleman & heartthrob. He was kind when he probably just wanted to sleep. And he switched seats so we could sit together. #RIP," Union tweeted.

Baywatch movie star Alexandra Daddario revealed Perry's down-to-earth kindness. "Luke Perry used to come into the restaurant I worked in over a decade ago and he was always so kind to me and friendly in an industry where most people would just dismiss me. Always remembered that. RIP. And be kind and compassionate to those around you y'all," she tweeted.

In a series of tweets, actress Heather Matarazzo recalled a time in 1996 when she attended her first film premiere due to the success of her indie hit Welcome to the Dollhouse. Perry was in attendance, recognized her, and asked her to join his table so she wouldn't be alone. "He was my first real lesson in kindness and peer to peer generosity. He went out of his way to make sure that I was included. He didn't have to; he chose to and that will stay with me forever. Thank you, bud. Your kindness lives on... she tweeted. 

Former Two and a Half Men co-stars Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer paid their respects to Luke Perry in touching posts on Twitter. "L.P. 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 years," Charlie Sheen wrote.

On Feb. 28, 2019, a day after news broke that Perry suffered a massive stroke, Sheen tweeted: "LP ! my man. you GOT this. i'll bring you this shirt when i'm allowed to visit!" He'd posted an old photo of the pair from the '90s. 

Jon Cryer was "stunned" by Perry's unexpected death. "Such a lovely guy. With a wonderful sense of humor about fame and the pitfalls of Showbiz. This is just awful..." he tweeted. "Luke Perry was a character actor in the body of a heartthrob. Much respect..." he added.

From Viola Davis, to Aubrey Plaza, to Stephen King, the celebrity world came out in droves to pay its respects to Luke Perry. "One of my first jobs was a guest appearance on 90210. My scenes were with Luke. I had a crush on him for so long and getting to work with him was a dream come true. I just remember him being a super humble and really nice guy," said actress Ashley Tisdale on Instagram.

"My heart goes out to Luke Perry's family, he was a really good guy. I'll miss seeing you around, buddy," actor Danny Trejo wrote. 

"The news of Luke Perry's death is absolutely devastating. He was a friend to our organization and to the LGBTQ community. Our hearts go out to his loved ones," GLAAD tweeted. 

"I don't understand how he's gone. His soul always shined so bright. His smile. His talent. His kindness. He was always the coolest person in the room. Rest with the angels, sweet Luke. I will never forget you," tweeted Alyssa Milano. 

Rest in peace, Luke Perry.