Shannen Doherty, other '90210' and 'Riverdale' stars react to death of Luke Perry: 'Devastated by the loss of my friend'
Luke Perry -- who starred on "Riverdale" but became famous as a teen heartthrob during his time on "90210" -- died Monday after suffering a massive stroke last week.
Perry rose to fame as bad boy Dylan McKay during the '90s on "90210," along with castmates Shannen Doherty and Jason Priestly. Perry had recently been in the public eye portraying Fred Andrews, the father of redheaded All-American boy Archie Andrews, on The CW's "Riverdale."
“Yesterday morning I got a phone call that devastated me,” Doherty, whose "90210" character Brenda Walsh dated Perry's McKay, said in a post on Instagram. “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.”
"I am in shock. Heartbroken. Devastated by the loss of my friend," Doherty told People. "I have so many memories with Luke that make me smile and that are forever imprinted on my heart and mind."
“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,” she added.
“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. I will miss him everyday. Every minute. Every second.”
“Luke loved his family,” Doherty also told People. “He raved about his kids and how proud he was of them. He showed me videos of the often … They were his heart and for him, his biggest accomplishment.”
Doherty also told People she had recently seen Perry. “A couple of weeks ago in February, Luke and I met up for lunch. He chose the restaurant based on who would allow his dog,” she said. “I walked in and there he was, smiling, with his dog Penny and her bed under the booth, happy as can be,” she the actress. “I will never forget -- and will miss -- Luke looking at me with that smile of his saying … Shan.”
Other cast members from "90210" also offered their thoughts on Perry's passing.
Fellow castmate Tori Spelling, who played Donna Martin on “90210,” also spoke to People, saying, “I’m in utter shock and heartbroken. I’m saddened for his kids whom he adored beyond words. He was so proud of Jack and Sophie. Luke was one of the kindest and most humble human beings I’ve ever known. 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.”
“My heart is broken. He meant so much to so many. Such a very special person,” Jennie Garth told People. Garth played Kelly Taylor on “90210,” whose character had a relationship with Perry’s Dylan McKay. “I share my deep sadness with his family and all who loved him. Such a terrible loss.”
“I am absolutely heartbroken,” Gabrielle Carteris, who played Andrea Zuckerman on “90210,” said in a statement. “Luke was a tremendous force in the lives of so many. He was a very sensitive soul who was kind, generous and he fought for the underdog. He was a strong voice and an advocate who will be so missed by all who knew him. He has left his mark -- never to be forgotten. My heart goes out to his family, friends and fans around the globe.” She later tweeted more about her former co-star.
Ian Ziering said he will forever "bask in the loving memories we've shared over the last thirty years."
Co-star Jason Preistly indirectly commented via a response on Twitter.
Christine Elise McCarthy, who starred in an early season of "90210" as Emily Valentine, also shared her thoughts.
The death of the 52-year-old actor shocked many more of his former co-stars and other big names in Hollywood, who took to social media to share their reactions.
A touching message was shared by "Riverdale" co-star Molly Ringwald.
“I can't even begin to express the shock and sorrow I feel by the untimely death of my friend Luke Perry,” Ringwald, who stars opposite Perry on “Riverdale,” said in a statement. “He was one of the kindest, caring souls I've ever worked with. An incredible committed and proud father to his kids and a constant loyal friend to those he loved. I consider myself so lucky to have counted myself among them. With the many other people who adored him, his loss will be felt for a long long time. I miss him terribly.” She had earlier in the day tweeted her sadness over Perry’s death.
