Kind words, thoughts, and condolences poured out on social media Monday as colleagues and fans reacted to actor Luke Perry's death at age 52.
The "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Riverdale" actor was hospitalized Wednesday after suffering a stroke. Additional details concerning the actor's death were not readily available. Days after he was hospitalized, his former co-star Shannen Doherty gave an emotional interview to "Entertainment Tonight," saying, "I can't talk about it here 'cause I will literally start crying, but I love him, and he knows I love him."
"It's Luke, and he's my Dylan," she added in reference to Dylan McKay, the brooding "90210" character who propelled Perry to teen idol status in the 1990s.
He more recently played Fred Andrews, Archie's father, in the CW drama "Riverdale" and served as the moral compass of the show. "Riverdale's" executive producers - Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Jon Goldwater - said in a statement that they were "deeply saddened" by Perry's passing.
In a tweet from his personal account, Aguirre-Sacasa added: "So heartbroken about Luke. He was a father, brother, friend, and mentor. Each night before he had to shoot a scene, he'd call me and we'd talk about . . . everything. I will miss those calls. And my heart goes out to all his family and friends."
Social media were filled with emotional tributes to Perry within minutes of the news breaking.
Molly Ringwald, a fellow teen idol, who played Perry's estranged wife on "Riverdale," tweeted that her "heart is broken. I will miss you so much, Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family."
(Washington Post)
