Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Luke Perry
View on Wikipedia
Coy Luther "Luke" Perry III (October 11, 1966 – March 4, 2019) was an American actor. He became a teen idol for playing Dylan McKay on the Fox television series Beverly Hills, 90210 from 1990 to 1995, and again from 1998 to 2000. Perry also starred as Fred Andrews on the CW series Riverdale. He had guest roles on shows such as Criminal Minds, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Simpsons, and Will & Grace, as well as a recurring role voicing Rick Jones in The Incredible Hulk (1996–1997) from Marvel Comics, and also appeared in various films, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), 8 Seconds (1994), The Fifth Element (1997), The Final Storm, The Beat Beneath My Feet (2015), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), which was his final feature performance and earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. He died of a stroke on March 4, 2019, at the age of 52.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Coy Luther Perry III was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on October 11, 1966,[1] the second of three children to Ann Perry, a homemaker, and Coy Luther Perry Jr., a steelworker.[1] He had an older brother, Thomas Perry, and a younger sister, Amy Coder (née Perry).[2] His parents divorced in 1972.[3] His father died of a heart attack in 1980.[4] Perry was raised in Fredericktown, Ohio, and played the Freddie Bird, the school mascot for Fredericktown High School.[5]
Career
[edit]Beginnings
[edit]In 1984, Perry moved to Los Angeles shortly after high school to pursue acting.[4] He worked odd jobs, including for an asphalt paving company and in a doorknob factory.[6] He appeared in the 1985 music video of "Be Chrool to Your Scuel" for the band Twisted Sister. Perry had auditioned for 256 acting jobs before receiving his first acceptance in 1988.[7] After moving to New York, Perry's earliest roles were on daytime soap operas: one episode of Loving (1987–1988) and ten episodes of Another World (1988–1989).[8]
Rise to fame: Beverly Hills, 90210 era
[edit]
In 1990, Perry got the role of the brooding millionaire's son Dylan McKay on Fox's teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210.[4] He originally auditioned for the role of Steve Sanders but lost to Ian Ziering.[9] With this role, Perry became a popular teen idol; a riot broke out when 10,000 teen girls attended an August 1991 autograph session at The Fashion Mall at Plantation, causing him to leave after 90 seconds.[10] While starring in 90210, Perry had a supporting role in the original film version of Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992).[11] He also starred in Terminal Bliss in 1992,[12] and as Lane Frost in 8 Seconds in 1994.[13] At 1992 MTV Video Music Awards' Perry presented the award for best Metal Music Video along with Howard Stern dressed as Fartman, generating much press.
In an attempt to find more mature roles, he decided to leave Beverly Hills, 90210 in 1995. That year, he took a part in the Italian film Vacanze di Natale '95, playing himself. Although he announced that 90210 was behind him, his absence lasted for only three years, and he returned to the show in 1998. During this time, Perry starred in the independent film Normal Life opposite Ashley Judd[14] and starred in the science fiction television film Invasion (1997)[15] and Riot (1997), a drama about the 1992 Los Angeles riots.[16] He had a small role in Luc Besson's science fiction adventure film The Fifth Element (1997). In 1998, he returned to 90210, where he remained as a permanent special guest star through the show's final season in 2000.[5] In 1999, he starred in the film Storm.[citation needed]
He said of his role on Beverly Hills, 90210 as Dylan McKay, "I'm going to be linked with him until I die, but that's actually just fine. I created Dylan McKay. He's mine,"[17] but did not reprise his role in the spin-off. He stated: "When you're in the professional acting business, you have to look into all these offers, and I don't mean anything bad about it but creatively it's something I have done before and I don't know how it will benefit me if I do it again."[18] Perry said that the fact that the show's longtime producer Aaron Spelling was not involved in the revival was critical: "The difference between CW bringing something back and Aaron Spelling doing something is significant. And I cannot do it without Aaron."[19] However, Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth, and Tori Spelling reprised their roles in the 2008 revival of the series.[citation needed]
Later work
[edit]
From 2001 to 2002, Perry starred in the HBO prison drama Oz, as Reverend Jeremiah Cloutier.[20] From 2002 to 2004, he starred in the post-apocalyptic television series Jeremiah.[21] Perry went on to star in a 2002 television film called The Triangle.[22] In 2006, Perry co-starred in the ensemble drama series Windfall, about a group of friends who win the lottery. The series ran for 13 episodes during the summer of 2006 on NBC.[8] In 2007, he landed the role of Tommy "Santa" Santorelli on the film The Sandlot: Heading Home, and he appeared in the 2008 western A Gunfighter's Pledge.[23][24] Perry also appeared in the 2007 HBO series John from Cincinnati.[25] He also starred in the Swedish film Äntligen Midsommar (Finally Midsummer), which was released in the summer of 2009.[26]
Perry did considerable voice-over work for various animated series, usually playing himself. He played himself (as Krusty the Clown's half brother) in "Krusty Gets Kancelled", an episode of The Simpsons (1993).[27] He voiced himself in an episode of Johnny Bravo, giving Johnny dating advice after Johnny saved him from a stampede of fan girls. Perry parodied himself in "The Story on Page One", an episode of Family Guy, in which he sues Peter Griffin for calling him gay in a newspaper article.[28] His other voice work includes The Incredible Hulk as Rick Jones, Biker Mice from Mars (which also starred fellow 90210 co-star Ian Ziering), Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, and The Night of the Headless Horseman.[29][8]
Perry guest-starred as gay characters in the sitcoms Spin City (1997) and Will & Grace (2005); in the former, he appeared as Carter Heywood's ex-boyfriend who subsequently fell in love with a woman, and in the latter he played a birdwatcher who catches the eye of Jack McFarland.[30] In 2005, Perry was reunited with former 90210 co-star Jennie Garth when he guest-starred on What I Like About You in a loose parody of their 90210 characters' relationship.[31] In 2008, Perry guest-starred as rapist Noah Sibert in the season premiere of the television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.[32] He also guest-starred as cult leader Benjamin Cyrus in an episode of Criminal Minds. In late 2009, Perry starred in The Killers' music video for their fourth annual Christmas single, "¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe!".[33]
The same year, Perry participated in Thomas Nelson's audio Bible production known as The Word of Promise. In this dramatized audio, Perry played both Saint Stephen and Judas Iscariot. The project also featured a large ensemble of other well-known Hollywood actors, including Jim Caviezel, Louis Gossett Jr., John Rhys-Davies, Jon Voight, Gary Sinise, Jason Alexander, Christopher McDonald, Marisa Tomei, Stacy Keach, and John Schneider.[34][35]
Perry appeared on Broadway in 2001 in a revival of The Rocky Horror Show, playing Brad Majors.[36] In 2004, he appeared in the London production of When Harry Met Sally ... as Harry, alongside Alyson Hannigan as Sally.[37] He played a con man/psychic in a second-season episode of Leverage in 2010,[38] and then appeared as the American version of Inspector Spacetime in an episode of Community in 2013, titled "Conventions of Space and Time".[39] Later that year he also played Superman in the film Superman: Quest for Steve.
From 2017 until his death in 2019, Perry starred as Frederick "Fred" Andrews, Archie's father and owner of Andrews Construction, on The CW series Riverdale.[5] All episodes aired after his death were dedicated to him.[40] His final film role was as actor Wayne Maunder in the 2019 Quentin Tarantino film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, about 1960s Hollywood around the time of the Tate–LaBianca murders.[41]
Personal life
[edit]Perry married Rachel Minnie Sharp on November 20, 1993, in Beverly Hills.[42] They had two children, son Jack Perry (born June 16, 1997) and daughter Sophie Perry (born June 7, 2000), before separating in 2003.[43][44][45][46] Jack is a professional wrestler in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) who was formerly known as Jungle Boy.[47]
Perry became an advocate for colorectal cancer testing after undergoing a colonoscopy in 2015 that revealed pre-cancerous growths.[48] As a result of the scare, he created a will naming his children as the sole beneficiaries.[49] At the time of his death, Perry was engaged[50] to Wendy Madison Bauer.[51][52]
Illness and death
[edit]On February 27, 2019, Perry suffered a massive ischemic stroke at his home in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, and was taken to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. After a second stroke, his family decided to remove him from life support,[49] and he died on March 4 at age 52.[53] He is buried at the Perry Family Farm in Vanleer, Tennessee, where he had owned a home since 1995. Perry was buried in an eco-friendly mushroom burial suit, which the manufacturer states can remove polluting toxins from the body while naturally breaking it down.[54]
In the aftermath of his death, the Reelz channel announced a documentary titled Luke Perry: In His Own Words.[55] As a result of his death, his Riverdale character Fred Andrews also died, and the fourth season premiere was a tribute episode dedicated to him and his character, featuring his Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Shannen Doherty.[56]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Scorchers | Ray Ray | [6] | |
| 1992 | Terminal Bliss | John Hunter | [6] | |
| Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Oliver Pike | [57] | ||
| 1994 | 8 Seconds | Lane Frost | [57] | |
| 1995 | Vacanze di Natale '95 (Christmas Holidays '95) | Himself | [58] | |
| 1996 | Normal Life | Chris Anderson | [59] | |
| American Strays | Johnny | [59] | ||
| 1997 | The Fifth Element | Billy Masterson | [57] | |
| Last Breath | Martin Devoe | [59] | ||
| 1998 | Indiscreet | Michael Nash | [59] | |
| 1999 | The Heist | Jack | [58] | |
| The Florentine | Frankie | [59] | ||
| Storm | Dr. Ron Young | Direct-to-video | [58] | |
| 2000 | Attention Shoppers | Mark Pinnalore | [59][58] | |
| 2001 | The Enemy | Dr. Michael Ashton | [58] | |
| Dirt | Attorney | [58] | ||
| 2002 | Fogbound | Bob | [60] | |
| 2002 | Cowboy Up: Inside the Extreme World of Bull Riding | Narrator/Himself | Documentary | [61] |
| 2003 | Down the Barrel | David | Direct-to-video | [62] |
| 2005 | Dishdogz | Tony | [63] | |
| 2007 | The Sandlot: Heading Home | Tommy "Santa" Santorelli | Direct-to-video | [58] |
| Alice Upside Down | Ben McKinley | [58] | ||
| 2009 | Äntligen midsommar! | Sam | [58] | |
| Upstairs | Ward Weaver | [64] | ||
| Silent Venom | Lt. Cmdr. James O'Neill | Direct-to-video | [58] | |
| Sam Steele and the Junior Detective Agency | The Cat | [65] | ||
| 2010 | Redemption Road | Boyd | [58] | |
| The Final Storm | Silas Hendershot | Direct-to-video | [58] | |
| Hanna's Gold | Cole | [66] | ||
| Good Intentions | Chester Milford | [58] | ||
| 2013 | Red Wing | Carl Blanton | [58] | |
| Scoot and Kassie's Christmas Adventure | Paul Stevenson | [58] | ||
| 2015 | The Beat Beneath My Feet | Max Stone | [58] | |
| A Fine Step | Cal Masterson | |||
| 2015 | Black Beauty | James | ||
| Dudes & Dragons | Lorash | [58] | ||
| 2018 | The Griddle House | Older Jack | ||
| 2019 | Once Upon a Time in Hollywood | Wayne Maunder | Final film role; posthumous release; dedicated in memory | [58] |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Voyagers! | Union Prisoner | Episode: "The Day the Rebs Took Lincoln" | [67] |
| 1988 | Loving | Ned Bates | Unknown episode | [8] |
| 1988–1989 | Another World | Kenny | 10 episodes | [59] |
| 1990–1995, 1998–2000 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Dylan McKay | 199 episodes | [59] |
| 1993 | Saturday Night Live | Himself (host) | Episode: "Luke Perry/Mick Jagger" | |
| The Simpsons | Himself | Voice, episode: "Krusty Gets Kancelled" | [59] | |
| 1994–1995, 2007 | Biker Mice from Mars | Napoleon Brie | Voice, 7 episodes | [68] |
| 1996 | Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm | Sub-Zero | Voice, 13 episodes | [59][29] |
| 1996–1997 | The Incredible Hulk | Rick Jones | Voice, 4 episodes | [59][29] |
| 1997 | Spin City | Spence | Episode: "Kiss Me, Stupid" | [57][59] |
| Riot | Boomer | Television film | [58] | |
| Invasion | Beau Stark | [59] | ||
| 1998–1999 | Pepper Ann | Stuart Walldinger | Voice, 4 episodes: "Presenting Stewart Walldinger", "P.A.'s Life in a Nutshell", "Like Riding a Bike" & "Pepper Ann's Day Off-Kilter" | [29] |
| 1999 | The Night of the Headless Horseman | Brom Bones | Television film | [58][29] |
| 2000 | Johnny Bravo | Himself | Voice, episode: "Luke Perry's Guide to Love" | [29] |
| Family Guy | Himself | Voice, episode: "The Story on Page One" | [28] | |
| 2001 | Night Visions | Dr. Michael Sears | Episode: "Now He's Coming Up the Stairs" | [69] |
| The Triangle | Stu Sheridan | Television film | [59] | |
| 2001–2002 | Oz | Rev. Jeremiah Cloutier | 10 episodes | [59] |
| 2002 | Jackson County War | Harry Hammett | Television film | [70] |
| 2002–2004 | Jeremiah | Jeremiah | 35 episodes | [59] |
| 2003 | Clone High | Ponce de León | Voice, episode: "Litter Kills - Literally" | [59] |
| 2005 | Will & Grace | Aaron | Episode: "The Birds and the Bees" | [57] |
| What I Like About You | Todd | 3 episodes | [59] | |
| Descent | Dr. Jake Rollins | Television film | [71] | |
| Supernova | Dr. Chris Richardson | [58] | ||
| 2006 | Windfall | Peter Schaefer | 13 episodes | [59] |
| 2007 | John from Cincinnati | Linc Stark | 10 episodes | [59] |
| 2008 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Noah Sibert | Episode: "Trials" | [59] |
| A Gunfighter's Pledge | Matt Austin | Television film | [23] | |
| A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride | Charlie | [58] | ||
| 2008, 2018 | Criminal Minds | Benjamin Cyrus | 2 episodes | [59] |
| 2009 | The Storm | Stillman | [59] | |
| Angel and the Badman | Laredo Stevens | Television film | [58] | |
| 2010 | Leverage | Dalton Rand | Episode: "The Future Job" | [59] |
| Generator Rex | Jacob | Voice, episode: "The Architect" | [29] | |
| FCU: Fact Checkers Unit | Luke | 8 episodes | [72] | |
| 2011 | Pound Puppies | Fang | Voice, episode: "Rebel Without a Collar" | [73][29] |
| Goodnight for Justice | John Goodnight | Television film | [58] | |
| 2012 | Goodnight for Justice: The Measure of a Man | John Goodnight | [58] | |
| Goodnight for Justice: Queen of Hearts | John Goodnight | [58] | ||
| Raising Hope | Ghost of Arbor Day | Episode: "Arbor Daze" | [59] | |
| 2012–2013 | Body of Proof | CDC Officer Dr. Charlie Stafford | 5 episodes | [59] |
| 2013 | Community | American Inspector Spacetime | Episode: "Conventions of Space and Time" | [59] |
| 2014 | Major Crimes | Jon Worth | Episode: "Cutting Loose" | [59] |
| Hot in Cleveland | Trevor | Episode: "The Bachelors" | [59] | |
| 2015 | Welcome Home | Stewart Paylor | Television film | [59] |
| Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise | Richard Steele | [74] | ||
| Ties That Bind | Tim Olson | [75] | ||
| 2016 | Love in Paradise | Avery Ford | [58] | |
| The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness | Himself | Episode: "The 90s" | [76] | |
| 2017–2019, 2021 | Riverdale | Fred Andrews | 46 episodes (Season 5 Ep 3: Archival footage) | [59] |
| 2019 | BH90210 | Dylan McKay | (fragment in the pilot series) | [77] |
Music videos
[edit]| Year | Title | Artist(s) | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | "Be Chrool to Your Scuel" | Twisted Sister | Unknown | [78] |
| 2009 | "¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe!" | The Killers featuring Wild Light and Mariachi El Bronx | The Cowboy | [79] |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Young Artist Awards | Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Television Series (shared with the cast) | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Nominated |
| Best Young Actor Supporting or Re-Occurring Role for a TV Series | Nominated | |||
| 1992 | Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Television Series (shared with the cast) | Won | ||
| Bravo Otto | Best Male TV Star | Luke Perry | Nominated | |
| 1993 | Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite TV Actor | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Nominated |
| Young Artist Awards | Favorite Young Ensemble Cast in a Television Series (shared with the cast) | Won | ||
| Bravo Otto | Best Male TV Star | Luke Perry | Won | |
| 1994 | Won | |||
| 2001 | DVD Exclusive Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Attention Shoppers | Nominated |
| 2004 | TV Land Awards | Favorite Teen Dream – Male | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Nominated |
| 2007 | Break Up That Was So Bad It Was Good (shared with Shannen Doherty) | Nominated | ||
| 2009 | People's Choice Awards | Favorite Scene Stealing Guest Star | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Nominated |
| 2020 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (shared with the cast) | Once Upon a Time in Hollywood | Nominated |
| Online Film & Television Association | Best Ensemble (shared with the cast) | Nominated | ||
| Gold Derby Awards | Ensemble of the Decade (shared with the cast) | Nominated | ||
| Ensemble Cast (shared with the cast) | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ a b James Brady (June 25, 2006). "In Step With... Luke Perry". Parade. Retrieved July 15, 2007.
- ^ McBride, Jessica (March 5, 2019). "Luke Perry's Family & Siblings: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
- ^ Genzlinger, Neil; Harris, Elizabeth A. (March 4, 2019). "Luke Perry, 'Beverly Hills, 90210' Star, Is Dead at 52". The New York Times. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Luke Perry". Biography. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Luke Perry Is Dead at 52". Vogue. March 4, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ a b c Keller, Julia (November 8, 1990). "From the archives: A conversation with Ohioan Luke Perry, who stars in 'Beverly Hills' 90210". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ Respers France, Lisa (March 4, 2019). "Luke Perry, star of 'Beverly Hills 90210' and 'Riverdale,' dead at 52". CNN. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Elliott, Megan (March 4, 2019). "Remembering Luke Perry: Photos from the Actor's Career Before '90210'". CheatSheet. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "How Beverly Hills, 90210 Made Luke Perry a Brooding Heartthrob for the Ages". E!. March 4, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
- ^ Delgado, Berta; Doup, Liz (August 11, 1991). "Melee at the Broward mall: 20 injured during surge for heartthrob Luke Perry | From the archives". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 5, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019. Alt URL
- ^ Volmers, Eric (March 20, 2015). "Calgary Comic Expo: Luke Perry talks about Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Calgary Herald. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ Hunter, Stephen (March 10, 1992). "Luke Perry gropes for 'Terminal Bliss'". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ Mooney, Thomas (March 4, 2019). "How Luke Perry's Rodeo Movie '8 Seconds' Illuminated Life Outside the 90210". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Normal Life (1996)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Invasion (1997)". All Movie. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Riot in the Streets (1997)". All Movie. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Luke Perry shooting new film in Sweden". upi.com. UPI. September 15, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ "Luke Perry Holding Firm with His 9021-'No'". TV Guide. September 18, 2008. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ Fisher, Luchina (August 19, 2010). "'Beverly Hills, 90210': Where Are They Now?". abcnews.go.com. ABC News. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ Edgerton, Gary R.; Jones, Jeffery P. (2013). The Essential HBO Reader. University Press of Kentucky. p. 64. ISBN 978-0-8131-4372-9. Retrieved March 5, 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ Garcia, Frank; Phillips, Mark (2013). Science Fiction Television Series, 1990-2004:Histories, Casts and Credits for 58 Shows. McFarland & Company. p. 135. ISBN 978-0-7864-9183-4. Retrieved March 5, 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ Speier, Michael (August 9, 2001). "The Triangle". Variety. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ a b "The Pledge (2008)". AllMovie. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "The Sandlot: Heading Home". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ Lowry, Brian (June 6, 2007). "John From Cincinnati". Variety. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ Oz-Gun, Theresa (October 1, 2009). "Luke Perry: from 90s teen hearthrob to Swedish film star". The Local. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "A Star is Burns / 4 Jan 2010 2:43 PM PST Top 25 Simpsons Guest Appearances". IGN. January 4, 2010. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ a b "The Story on Page One". TV.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Luke Perry (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved September 16, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
- ^ "'Riverdale' star Luke Perry has died at the age of 52". Attitude.co.uk. March 5, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "What I Like About You". TV.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Luke Perry to Guest on "Law & Order: SVU"". The Insider. July 30, 2008. Archived from the original on July 31, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ "Happy Birthday Guadalupe". Song Facts. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "The Word of Promise: Cast". Thomas Nelson Publishers. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "BELIEFS: Stars lined up for elaborate audio Bible : Michael York, Jason Alexander and many others gave voice to a 79-CD reading of Old and New Testaments". Los Angeles Times. November 16, 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (June 29, 2001). "From 90210 to 10036: Perry on B'way". People. New York City: Meredith Corporation. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2007.
- ^ Hansford, Anne; Silverman, Stephen M. (January 8, 2004). "Hannigan Orgasmic over New Stage Role". People. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2007.
- ^ Dawidziak, Mark (January 29, 2010). "Mansfield native Luke Perry guest stars on TNT's 'Leverage'". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved March 5, 2019 – via Cleveland.com.
- ^ Hughes, Jason (February 22, 2013). "'Community' Stages '90210' Reunion As Luke Perry And Jennie Garth Star In Pierce's Version Of 'Inspector Spacetime' (VIDEO)". HuffPost. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ Aguirre-Sacasa, Roberto [@writerRAS] (March 6, 2019). "Going through pictures on my way to set. From the early days. With Luke in the middle. Our heart, always. Tonight's episode of #Riverdale finds Fred doing what he does best--helping Archie. It is dedicated to Luke, as all episodes will be for the rest of our run. 💔❤️🏆" (Tweet). Retrieved March 7, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Luke Perry's final role will be in Quentin Tarantino's 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ Gliatto, Tom (December 6, 1993). "The Luke of Love". People. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ "Luke Perry: Splitsville, 90210". E!. May 4, 2003.
- ^ "Jennie Garth turns to Luke Perry for post-split support". SFGate. August 16, 2012.
- ^ "A baby girl joins Luke Perry, wife". Deseret News. June 10, 2000. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017.
- ^ Vivinetto, Gina (March 3, 2017). "Luke Perry reveals why he'd never let his daughter date Dylan McKay". Today. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ "Luke Perry Supports His Son Jungle Boy at Wrestling Match". E!. January 17, 2017.
- ^ Carlton, Lindsay (March 17, 2017). "'90210' actor Luke Perry opens up about 2015 cancer scare". Fox News.
- ^ a b Mayoras, Danielle and Andy. "Luke Perry Protected His Family With Estate Planning". Forbes. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
- ^ "Luke Perry was secretly engaged before his death: Who is his fiancée, Wendy?". AOL. March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
- ^ Elber, Lynn (March 4, 2019). "Luke Perry, heartthrob on '90210,' dies at 52 after stroke". Associated Press. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ "Actor Luke Perry dies after stroke at 52". BBC News. March 4, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ Thorne, Will (March 4, 2019). "Luke Perry, '90210' and 'Riverdale' Star, Dies at 52". Variety. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ "Would you get buried in a mushroom suit like Luke Perry?". BBC News. May 6, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ "Luke Perry: In His Own Words". REELZChannel. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
- ^ Schwartz, Ryan (July 21, 2019). "Riverdale: Shannen Doherty to Appear In Luke Perry Tribute Episode". TVLine. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Hogan, Kate; Dodd, Sophie (March 1, 2019). "From Katherine Helmond to Carol Channing: Remembering the Stars We've Lost in 2019". People. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "Filmography for Luke Perry". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "Luke Perry List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ Russell, Jamie. "Fogbound (2003)". BBC Online. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Cowboy Up: Inside the Extreme World of Bull Riding". IMDb. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ "Down the Barrel". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Dishdogz". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Upstairs 2009". Filmow. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Sam Steele and the Junior Detective Agency". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Hanna's Gold". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ Bradley, Laura (March 4, 2019). "Luke Perry, Star of 90210 and Riverdale, Dies at 52". Vanity Fair. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ Keene, Allison (March 4, 2019). "Luke Perry, Star of '90210' and 'Riverdale,' Has Died at 52". Collider. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Luke Perry". TV Guide. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Johnson County War". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Descent (2005)". AllMovie. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Luke Perry on 'FCU: Fact Checkers Unit'". Hollywood News. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Luke Perry Dead: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy. March 4, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (2015)". AllMovie. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ "IMDB: Ties That Bind (2015)". Retrieved October 1, 2024.
- ^ Middleton, Marc (February 29, 2016). "WWE Fans Leave Before Show Ends, 90210 Star On Edge And Christian's Show, Stephanie McMahon Workout". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ Bradley, Laura (August 8, 2019). "How 90210 Crafted Its "Commemorative" Luke Perry Tribute". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
- ^ [1]: "Twisted Sister - Be Chrool To Your Scuel (Official Music Video)". YouTube.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "The Killers – ¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe! ft. Wild Light, Mariachi El Bronx". YouTube. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
External links
[edit]- Luke Perry at IMDb
- Luke Perry at the Internet Broadway Database
- Luke Perry at the TCM Movie Database
Luke Perry
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Birth and family
Coy Luther Perry III, known professionally as Luke Perry, was born on October 11, 1966, in Mansfield, Ohio.[2][5] His parents were Ann Bennett, a homemaker, and Coy Luther Perry Jr., a steelworker.[2][6] Perry had an older brother, Tom Perry, and a younger sister, Amy Perry (later Amy Coder).[7][8] Perry's parents divorced in 1972 when he was six years old, after which he was primarily raised by his mother.[9][10] Ann Bennett remarried Steve Bennett when Perry was 12.[10] His biological father, Coy Luther Perry Jr., died of a heart attack in 1980 at the age of 35, when Perry was 13.[5][11][6][12] The loss profoundly affected Perry, who later described the family dynamics as challenging but formative.[11]Youth and relocation
Following his parents' divorce in 1972, when he was six years old, Luke Perry was raised primarily by his mother, Ann, in the small village of Fredericktown, Ohio, a community of about 2,300 residents.[13][14] Ann remarried construction worker Steve Bennett around 1978, who became a stabilizing influence and role model for Perry amid the family's challenges.[2][15] Perry's biological father, Coy Luther Perry Jr., died of a heart attack in 1980 at the age of 35, leaving 13-year-old Perry deeply affected by the loss.[6] The event, occurring in a household already strained by the earlier divorce and his father's reported abusiveness, fostered a strong sense of responsibility in Perry toward his mother and siblings, including brother Tom and sister Amy.[10][3] Perry attended Fredericktown High School, where he was a lackadaisical student but graduated in 1984 at age 17.[16][17] During his youth, he took odd jobs, including work in a doorknob factory and asphalt paving, to help support his family.[18] Inspired by classic films such as Rebel Without a Cause, which resonated with his own feelings of youthful rebellion, Perry auditioned for school plays but faced rejections that only fueled his determination.[3] That same year, shortly after graduation, he moved to Los Angeles at age 18 with roughly $600 in savings, driven by his ambition to pursue acting professionally.[19][2]Career
Early acting roles
After graduating from Fredericktown High School in 1984, Perry relocated to Los Angeles at the age of 18 to pursue a career in acting.[2] To support himself during this period, he took on various odd jobs, including paving asphalt driveways, selling shoes door-to-door, and working in construction.[2] Over the next few years, Perry faced significant challenges in breaking into the industry, attending over 200 auditions before securing his first professional role; he later recounted that rejections, including an unsuccessful audition for the ABC soap opera All My Children, tested his persistence but ultimately built his resilience.[20][5] Perry's first professional role came in 1987 when he appeared as Ned Bates, a dirt-poor mechanic from Tennessee, in one episode of the ABC daytime soap opera Loving.[21] This marked his first major television appearance and provided early exposure in the competitive world of serialized drama.[2] Building on this momentum, Perry moved to New York in 1988 and secured another recurring part as Kenny, the manager of Josie Watts, on the NBC soap opera Another World, appearing in 10 episodes through 1989.[21][2] These soap opera stints honed his skills in emotional, character-driven storytelling and established him within the daytime television circuit. In addition to his soap work, Perry made minor guest appearances on primetime series and dipped into film early on. He guest-starred in an episode of the legal drama Matlock in 1988, playing a supporting role that showcased his versatility beyond soaps.[21] His first feature film credit came with Scorchers (1991), where he played the supporting role of Ray Ray, a small-town dreamer; the independent drama was filmed prior to his mainstream breakthrough and highlighted his transition toward larger-screen opportunities.[22]Rise to fame with Beverly Hills, 90210
Perry was cast as the enigmatic, leather-jacketed Dylan McKay, the show's brooding bad boy, in Fox's teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210, which premiered on October 4, 1990.[23] After years of struggle in Hollywood, Perry secured the part following a tense audition in front of network executives, marking his breakthrough.[3][24] He portrayed Dylan regularly from seasons 1 through 5 (1990–1995) before departing to pursue other projects, then returned for seasons 8 through 10 (1998–2000), appearing in a total of 200 episodes.[25] The role catapulted Perry to stardom as a 1990s heartthrob, with Dylan's cool demeanor and vulnerability resonating with young audiences and sparking intense fan adoration.[26] This fervor peaked during public appearances; in August 1991, approximately 10,000 teenage fans overran a mall in Plantation, Florida, for an autograph session, creating chaos that forced Perry and security to flee the scene.[27] Beverly Hills, 90210 itself emerged as a cultural phenomenon, averaging millions of viewers weekly and solidifying Perry's status as a teen icon.[28] The series distinguished itself by tackling pressing teen issues like underage drinking, drug use, date rape, and addiction, often centering these themes on Dylan's personal struggles and growth.[29][30] Initially introduced as a wealthy, emotionally guarded rebel living in a Beverly Hills hotel, Dylan's character evolved into a multifaceted romantic lead, navigating complex love triangles with Brenda Walsh and Kelly Taylor that drove much of the show's emotional drama.[28] Perry's rising profile from 90210 opened doors to film roles that leveraged his bad-boy appeal. In 1992, he starred in Terminal Bliss as a self-destructive affluent youth entangled in a love triangle, and as the rugged biker Pike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a cult horror-comedy.[31] His performance in the 1994 rodeo biopic 8 Seconds, portraying champion bull rider Lane Frost after undergoing 18 months of bull riding training and co-producing the film, drew particular acclaim for capturing the athlete's quiet intensity and the perils of the sport, helping to broaden Perry's image beyond television.[32][33][2]Later career developments
After departing Beverly Hills, 90210 in 1995 to seek more mature roles, Perry transitioned to projects that showcased his range beyond teen drama.[34] He appeared in the science fiction film The Fifth Element (1997), directed by Luc Besson, playing the supporting role of Billy, an assistant to an archaeologist.[35] This marked one of his early post-90210 cinematic efforts, blending action and comedy in a futuristic setting. In 1999, Perry starred in the independent drama The Florentine, portraying Frankie, a character entangled in small-town schemes and personal betrayals at a local bar.[36] The film, directed by Nick Stagliano, explored working-class struggles in a declining Pennsylvania steel town and received a limited release.[37] Perry's television work in the early 2000s emphasized darker, more complex characters. He guest-starred on HBO's prison drama Oz from 2001 to 2002 as the intense evangelical preacher Reverend Jeremiah Cloutier, appearing in multiple episodes across seasons 5 and 6.[38] In 2003, he made a guest appearance on The WB's sitcom What I Like About You, playing a plumber who reconnects with a character from his past in a single episode.[39] A significant lead role came with the post-apocalyptic series Jeremiah (2002–2004) on Showtime, where Perry starred as the titular wanderer Jeremiah, navigating a virus-ravaged world 15 years after a global plague.[40] The series, based on a comic book by Hermann Huppen, ran for two seasons and 35 episodes, allowing Perry to embody a resourceful survivor alongside co-star Malcolm-Jamal Warner.[41] Perry also ventured into voice acting during this period. He provided the voice of Rick Jones, a young ally to the Hulk, in the animated series The Incredible Hulk (1996–1997) on UPN, appearing in several episodes of the 13-episode run. Earlier, in 1993, he voiced a parody version of himself as Krusty's half-brother in the The Simpsons episode "Krusty Gets Kancelled," though this predated his full departure from 90210.[42] On stage, Perry made his Broadway debut in 2001, replacing Jarrod Emick as Brad Majors in the revival of The Rocky Horror Show at the Circle in the Square Theatre.[43] He performed the role from late June to early August, contributing to the production's cult appeal amid Tony Award nominations.[44] Perry experienced a career resurgence in the late 2010s with the role of Fred Andrews, the devoted father of Archie Andrews, on The CW's Riverdale (2017–2019). He appeared in 46 episodes across the first three seasons, bringing grounded warmth to the dark reimagining of the *Archie* comics until his death halted further involvement. His final on-screen role was as actor Wayne Maunder in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), a brief appearance released posthumously.Personal life
Marriages and children
Luke Perry married Rachel "Minnie" Sharp on November 20, 1993, after dating for two years.[11] The couple, who met in the early 1990s, wed in a private ceremony in Beverly Hills.[45] Their marriage lasted a decade, ending in an amicable divorce in 2003.[46] Perry and Sharp had two children together: son Jack Perry, born on June 16, 1997, and daughter Sophie Perry, born on June 7, 2000.[47] Jack has pursued a career as a professional wrestler, performing under the ring name Jungle Boy (also known as Jack Perry) in All Elite Wrestling (AEW); as of 2025, he remains active with AEW, including a return at All Out in September 2025.[47][48] Sophie has followed in her father's footsteps as an aspiring actress, appearing in short films and other projects; she continues to engage in entertainment, including public tributes to her father's co-stars as of 2024.[47][49] Following their divorce, Perry and Sharp maintained a close relationship and shared joint custody of their children, with Jack and Sophie splitting time between their parents' homes.[50] This cooperative co-parenting arrangement allowed the family to remain connected, as evidenced by Sharp's presence alongside Perry's children during his final days.[51] In the years after his divorce, Perry began a long-term relationship with Wendy Madison Bauer, a family therapist and former actress, around 2007.[52] The couple kept their romance private but became engaged sometime before Perry's death, with plans for a wedding on August 17, 2019.[46] Perry semi-retired to his Sherman Oaks, California, home, where he lived with Bauer and spent time with his children.[53]Advocacy and interests
Perry was an avid horse enthusiast and rancher who owned a 380-acre property in Vanleer, Tennessee, which he purchased in the mid-1990s. There, he bred cutting horses and embraced rural life, often participating in rodeo-related activities that reflected his passion for Western culture. His children, Sophie and Jack, shared in this interest, planning to maintain the ranch as a family retreat after his death to honor his love for the land.[54][55][56] Beyond ranching, Perry enjoyed reading Western literature and expressed a deep appreciation for the genre in interviews, noting his long-standing intent to star in Western films. He also supported environmental causes, exemplified by his choice to be buried in a biodegradable mushroom suit designed to minimize ecological impact during decomposition. Additionally, Perry advocated for animal rights, notably in 1993 when he successfully fought local regulations to keep three Vietnamese potbellied pigs as pets on his property.[57][58][59] Perry engaged in philanthropy by donating thousands of dollars to various charities, including those supporting children and his native Ohio communities, such as schools in Mansfield and Fredericktown where he grew up. He actively participated in events for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and similar organizations like Western Wishes, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses; for instance, he once flew across the country to visit a young fan who had met him through the program years earlier. His occasional interest in music dated back to an early 1985 appearance as an extra in Twisted Sister's banned music video for "Be Chrool to Your Scuel," a zombie-themed high school satire.[60][61][62][63] Following a 2015 routine colonoscopy that revealed precancerous polyps, Perry became a vocal advocate for colorectal cancer screenings, partnering with Fight Colorectal Cancer to promote early detection through public service announcements and interviews. He emphasized the importance of screenings starting at age 50, sharing his experience to encourage others after losing a friend to the disease, though the polyps were removed and did not develop into cancer.[64][65]Illness and death
Health issues
In 2015, Luke Perry underwent a routine colonoscopy that revealed precancerous polyps in his colon, which were immediately removed to prevent the development of colorectal cancer.[64] No cancer was diagnosed, but the discovery prompted him to adopt healthier lifestyle habits, including reducing his intake of red meat and potatoes, and he actively advocated for regular screenings to raise awareness about colorectal health risks.[65] Perry had a family history of cardiovascular disease, with his father dying from a heart attack at age 35 when Perry was 14.[66] He also dealt with high cholesterol, managed through medication and dietary adjustments, alongside a history of smoking earlier in life that contributed to potential long-term risks.[67] Despite these concerns, Perry stayed physically active by tending to his approximately 400-acre horse ranch in Tennessee, where daily chores like horseback riding and farm maintenance helped maintain his fitness.[54] In the weeks leading up to February 2019, Perry reported ongoing back pain, which neighbors noted had worsened and may have necessitated surgical treatment.[68] Specific details on other risk factors, such as hypertension, were not publicly disclosed prior to that time.[69]Death and immediate aftermath
On February 27, 2019, Luke Perry suffered a massive ischemic stroke at his home in Sherman Oaks, California, prompting paramedics to respond around 9:40 a.m. and rush him to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in nearby Burbank, where he was placed on life support.[70][71][72] Perry never regained consciousness, and after five days of monitoring, his family—including his fiancée, Wendy Madison Bauer, mother, children, and siblings—decided to remove him from life support on March 4, 2019; he died shortly thereafter at 12:44 p.m. PDT, at the age of 52.[73][74][75] An autopsy and death certificate confirmed the cause of death as an ischemic cerebrovascular accident, resulting from a blockage in a brain artery, with no contributing factors such as drugs or alcohol noted in toxicology reports.[76][77] Perry's private funeral was held on March 11, 2019, near his family's farm in Vanleer, Tennessee, where he was laid to rest in an eco-friendly mushroom burial suit designed to accelerate natural decomposition and neutralize bodily toxins through mycelium-embedded fabric.[78][58] In the immediate aftermath, production on Riverdale—where Perry played Fred Andrews—was suspended for two days to allow the cast and crew time to grieve, and the series dedicated its entire third season to his memory, with a special tribute card following the season finale acknowledging his contributions.[79][80] Co-stars from Beverly Hills, 90210, including Jason Priestley and Ian Ziering, issued heartfelt public statements mourning Perry as a close friend and talented colleague, with Priestley describing him as "an incredibly bright light that was extinguished far too soon" and Ziering expressing sorrow over the loss of their 30-year bond.[81][82]Legacy
Cultural impact
Luke Perry's portrayal of Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210 established him as the quintessential 1990s heartthrob, embodying the archetype of the sensitive bad boy that blended rebellion with emotional vulnerability. This character type, characterized by brooding intensity and a troubled family background reminiscent of James Dean, influenced subsequent teen drama archetypes, such as Chuck Bass in Gossip Girl and elements of Archie Andrews' dynamic in Riverdale, where similar motifs of charismatic outsiders navigating moral ambiguity persisted.[83][84] The series Beverly Hills, 90210 itself pioneered the modern teen drama genre by elevating adolescent narratives with serious social issues, including substance abuse, peer pressure, and family dysfunction, which Perry's Dylan symbolized as a figure of Gen X rebellion tempered by introspection. Unlike earlier lighthearted depictions in John Hughes films, the show addressed real-world teen challenges, fostering a template for later series like Dawson's Creek and The O.C. that prioritized emotional depth over mere escapism.[85][86] Perry's broader cultural contributions extended to health advocacy, particularly in reducing stigma around men's preventive care through his partnership with Fight Colorectal Cancer, where he promoted screening after a personal health scare and his friend's wife's diagnosis, encouraging open discussions on topics often avoided by men. His choice of an eco-burial in a mushroom suit, which uses mycelium to accelerate natural decomposition and neutralize toxins, drew significant media attention and helped popularize sustainable funeral options amid growing environmental concerns.[64][87] In representations of masculinity, Perry challenged Hollywood's tendency to sideline aging male actors by continuing to secure diverse roles into his 50s, such as the paternal Fred Andrews on Riverdale, defying the teen idol expiration date and modeling graceful transitions beyond youthful leads. Following his death from a stroke at age 52, his case amplified awareness of the condition in younger adults under 65, which accounts for about one-third of cases, prompting public health campaigns to address risk factors in younger demographics.[3][88] The 2024 biography A Good Bad Boy by Margaret Wappler examines Perry's enduring role in generational coming-of-age stories, positioning him as a bridge between 1990s nostalgia and contemporary reflections on fame, vulnerability, and authenticity in pop culture.[89]Posthumous tributes and recognition
Following Luke Perry's death from a massive stroke at age 52 in March 2019, the cast and crew of Riverdale paid immediate tribute to his portrayal of Fred Andrews in the season 3 finale episode, "Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam," which aired on May 15, 2019, and depicted the character's death as a direct homage to the actor.[90] The show's season 4 premiere in October 2019 featured additional dedications, including the appearance of Perry's longtime friend Shannen Doherty and involvement from his family in crafting the emotional segment, with the cast wearing black armbands during filming to honor him.[91] Ongoing references to Fred Andrews have appeared in subsequent seasons, maintaining the character's presence as a nod to Perry's legacy on the series.[92] Perry's final film role in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, released in July 2019, included a special tribute in the end credits acknowledging his contribution as Wayne Maunder.[93] The film's ensemble cast, featuring Perry posthumously, received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the 2020 SAG Awards, where co-star Leonardo DiCaprio publicly remembered Perry during the ceremony.[94] In March 2024, marking the fifth anniversary of his death, People magazine published a cover story detailing Perry's final days, drawing on interviews with family and friends to reflect on his life and impact.[9] In 2023, former Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Tori Spelling shared an Instagram tribute on what would have been Perry's 57th birthday in October, expressing gratitude for their friendship and his supportive nature.[95] On October 11, 2025, what would have been Perry's 59th birthday, fans and media outlets shared tributes across Instagram and TikTok, including a heartfelt video reel from People magazine recapping his career highlights and personal warmth.[96] Legacy.com's guest book for Perry continued to receive messages from admirers throughout 2025, with entries as recent as October 11 expressing enduring appreciation for his kindness and talent.[97] Later that month, on October 30, 2025, Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Brian Austin Green honored Perry, stating that his "90210 brother is still here guiding him."[98] In November 2025, Riverdale co-star Madelaine Petsch shared the "two really strong pieces of advice" Perry had given her, highlighting his ongoing influence.[99] The 2024 biography A Good Bad Boy: Luke Perry and How a Generation Grew Up by Margaret Wappler, released to coincide with the fifth anniversary, features in-depth interviews with co-stars and collaborators, offering fresh insights into Perry's evolution from teen idol to mature artist.[89] In 2025, the documentary I Am Luke Perry, directed by Adrian Buitenhuis and premiered on The CW on March 1, further celebrated his life through family interviews and archival footage, teased earlier in entertainment media as a comprehensive retrospective.[100][101] Perry's legacy endures through his children: son Jack, born in 1997, has pursued a professional wrestling career in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Jungle Boy, often crediting his father's encouragement and shared passion for the sport, including building a backyard ring together.[102][103] Daughter Sophie Perry, born in 2000, has followed in her father's footsteps with acting roles, including appearances in The Theory of Everything (2014) and episodes of AEW Dynamite.[104]Filmography and accolades
Television roles
Luke Perry's television career included roles in soap operas, guest appearances, lead parts in series, and voice work in animated shows.| Title | Role | Years | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loving | Kenny Powell | 1987–1988 | 65 |
| Another World | Kenny | 1988–1989 | 10 |
| Matlock | Pierce Harrington | 1988 | 1 |
| Beverly Hills, 90210 | Dylan McKay | 1990–1995, 1998–2000 | 200 |
| Spin City | Billy McCoy | 1996 | 1 (pilot) |
| The Incredible Hulk | Rick Jones | 1996 | 13 |
| Oz | Reverend Jeremiah Cloutier | 2001–2002 | 8 |
| The Zeta Project | Ezekiel | 2001–2002 | 5 |
| What I Like About You | Todd | 2003 | 2 |
| Jeremiah | Jeremiah | 2002–2004 | 35 |
| The Simpsons | Himself | 1993 | 1 |
| Riverdale | Fred Andrews | 2017–2019 | 46 |
Film roles
Perry began his on-screen career with an uncredited appearance as a schoolboy who transforms into a zombie in the 1985 music video for Twisted Sister's "Be Chrool to Your Scuel," featuring Alice Cooper.[63] His feature film debut came in 1991 with the ensemble drama Scorchers, where he played the character Ray Ray, a young man entangled in a web of Southern small-town intrigue alongside stars like Faye Dunaway and James Earl Jones.[106] In 1992, Perry starred as John Hunter in the independent thriller Terminal Bliss, portraying a troubled teen navigating betrayal and substance abuse among affluent friends.[107] That same year, he took on the supporting role of Oliver Pike, a laid-back biker aiding the titular heroine, in the action-comedy Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a role that capitalized on his emerging heartthrob status during the Beverly Hills, 90210 era. Perry's early 1990s momentum continued with the lead in 1994's biographical sports drama 8 Seconds, where he portrayed professional bull rider Lane Frost, whose real-life story of courage and tragedy earned the film praise for its authentic depiction of rodeo culture. Transitioning to mid-career projects, he appeared as radio host Billy in the 1997 science fiction blockbuster The Fifth Element, directed by Luc Besson, providing a brief but memorable supporting turn in the high-octane adventure starring Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovich. In 1999, Perry played Frankie in the independent drama The Florentine, a character study of working-class life in a Philadelphia bar, sharing the screen with Michael Madsen and Virginia Madsen in this character-driven ensemble piece.[108] The following year, he portrayed sitcom star Mark Pinnalore in the comedy Attention Shoppers, satirizing corporate retail and Hollywood fame through a promotional tour gone awry. Later roles included Dr. Michael Ashton in the 2001 action-thriller The Enemy, where he starred as a scientist racing to avert a global catastrophe, co-starring with Roger Moore and Olivia d'Abo.[109] In 2007, Perry led the disaster film Descent (released on DVD that year after a 2005 TV premiere) as geologist Dr. Jake Rollins, heading a team to the Earth's core to prevent volcanic apocalypse. His final film appearance was posthumous in Quentin Tarantino's 2019 comedy-drama Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, portraying actor Wayne Maunder in a nostalgic nod to 1960s television Westerns.Awards and nominations
Luke Perry's acting career garnered recognition primarily through youth-oriented and fan-voted awards, with a focus on his breakout role in Beverly Hills, 90210. He secured two wins from the Young Artist Awards for his work on the series, including the 1992 Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Television Series (shared with castmates Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling, and Brian Austin Green) and the 1993 Best Young Leading Actor in a Television Series.[110] He was also nominated for a Young Artist Award in 1991 for Best Young Actor Supporting or Re-Occurring Role for a TV Series.[110][4] In Germany, Perry won two Bravo Otto Awards for Best Male TV Star, in 1993 and 1994, reflecting his international popularity as Dylan McKay.[110] He received two nominations from the TV Land Awards for Beverly Hills, 90210: in 2004 for Favorite Teen Dream – Male and in 2007 for Break Up That Was So Bad It Was Good (shared with Shannen Doherty).[110] Posthumously, Perry earned a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination in 2020 for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for his role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, marking his first major industry accolade.[111][94] Perry did not receive any Emmy or Golden Globe nominations during his lifetime.[112]| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Young Artist Awards | Best Young Actor Supporting or Re-Occurring Role for a TV Series | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Nominated[110] |
| 1992 | Young Artist Awards | Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Television Series | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Won (shared)[110] |
| 1993 | Young Artist Awards | Best Young Leading Actor in a Television Series | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Won[110] |
| 1993 | Bravo Otto Awards | Best Male TV Star | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Won[110] |
| 1994 | Bravo Otto Awards | Best Male TV Star | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Won[110] |
| 2004 | TV Land Awards | Favorite Teen Dream – Male | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Nominated[110] |
| 2007 | TV Land Awards | Break Up That Was So Bad It Was Good | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Nominated (shared)[110] |
| 2020 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Once Upon a Time in Hollywood | Nominated (posthumous)[111] |