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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]
Perry at the 1991 Emmy Awards.

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]
Perry at WonderCon in Anaheim, California in 2017

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]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Coy Luther "Luke" Perry III (October 11, 1966 – March 4, 2019) was an American actor best known for his portrayal of the brooding teen heartthrob on the Fox prime-time , which aired from 1990 to 2000 and made him a cultural icon of the 1990s. Born in , and raised in nearby Fredericktown after his parents' divorce when he was six, Perry dropped out of high school at 17 to pursue acting in , where he endured over 200 unsuccessful auditions before landing his first role on ABC's Loving in 1987. His breakthrough came with , where his charismatic, leather-jacketed character captured the angst of , earning the series a 1991 Golden Globe nomination for Best Drama Series and Perry a dedicated fanbase as a teen idol. Perry's career spanned television, film, and theater, showcasing his versatility beyond the heartthrob archetype. He starred in films such as the Western biopic (1994), where he portrayed bull rider after 18 months of training and co-producing, and the sci-fi actioner (1997) alongside . On television, he appeared in guest roles on shows like Another World (1988) and Oz (2001–2002), made his Broadway debut as Brad Majors in (2001), and later took the stage in London's West End production of (2004). In the 2010s, Perry revitalized his career with a recurring role as the warm-hearted Fred Andrews on The CW's Riverdale from 2017 until his death, earning praise for bringing depth to the character in the modern teen drama. His accolades included a 1992 for Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in and multiple nominations. In his , Perry was married to Rachel "Minnie" Sharp from 1993 to 2003, with whom he had two children: son Jack, a wrestler, and daughter . He maintained a low-key lifestyle on his Sherman Oaks ranch, advocating for animal rights and environmental causes, and was remembered by colleagues for his , such as aiding an member during a 2004 theater mishap. Perry died at age 52 from complications of a massive ischemic at St. Joseph's Hospital in , prompting tributes from Hollywood and an on-screen memorial in Riverdale's fourth-season premiere. His legacy endures as a symbol of 1990s and a grounded performer who influenced a generation through his empathetic screen presence.

Early life

Birth and family

Coy Luther Perry III, known professionally as Luke Perry, was born on October 11, 1966, in . His parents were Ann Bennett, a homemaker, and Coy Luther Perry Jr., a steelworker. Perry had an older brother, Tom Perry, and a younger sister, Amy Perry (later Amy Coder). Perry's parents divorced in 1972 when he was six years old, after which he was primarily raised by his mother. Ann Bennett remarried Steve Bennett when Perry was 12. His biological father, Coy Luther Perry Jr., died of a heart attack in 1980 at the age of 35, when Perry was 13. The loss profoundly affected Perry, who later described the dynamics as challenging but formative.

Youth and relocation

Following his parents' in 1972, when he was six years old, Luke Perry was raised primarily by his mother, Ann, in the small village of , a community of about 2,300 residents. Ann remarried construction worker Steve Bennett around 1978, who became a stabilizing influence and role model for Perry amid the family's challenges. 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. The event, occurring in a already strained by the earlier and his father's reported abusiveness, fostered a strong sense of responsibility in Perry toward his mother and siblings, including brother Tom and sister . Perry attended Fredericktown High School, where he was a lackadaisical student but graduated in 1984 at age 17. During his youth, he took odd jobs, including work in a doorknob factory and asphalt paving, to help support his family. Inspired by classic films such as , which resonated with his own feelings of youthful rebellion, Perry auditioned for school plays but faced rejections that only fueled his determination. That same year, shortly after graduation, he moved to at age 18 with roughly $600 in savings, driven by his ambition to pursue professionally.

Career

Early acting roles

After graduating from Fredericktown High School in 1984, Perry relocated to at the age of 18 to pursue a career in . 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. 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 , tested his persistence but ultimately built his resilience. Perry's first professional role came in 1987 when he appeared as Ned Bates, a dirt-poor from , in one episode of the Loving. This marked his first major television appearance and provided early exposure in the competitive world of serialized drama. 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 Another World, appearing in 10 episodes through 1989. These stints honed his skills in emotional, character-driven storytelling and established him within the 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. 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.

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. After years of struggle in Hollywood, Perry secured the part following a tense audition in front of network executives, marking his breakthrough. 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. The role catapulted Perry to stardom as a heartthrob, with Dylan's cool demeanor and vulnerability resonating with young audiences and sparking intense fan adoration. This fervor peaked during public appearances; in August 1991, approximately 10,000 teenage fans overran a mall in , for an autograph session, creating chaos that forced Perry and security to flee the scene. Beverly Hills, 90210 itself emerged as a cultural phenomenon, averaging millions of viewers weekly and solidifying Perry's status as a teen icon. The series distinguished itself by tackling pressing teen issues like underage drinking, drug use, , and , often centering these themes on Dylan's personal struggles and growth. Initially introduced as a wealthy, emotionally guarded rebel living in a , Dylan's character evolved into a multifaceted romantic lead, navigating complex love triangles with Brenda Walsh and that drove much of the show's emotional drama. 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. 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.

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. He appeared in the science fiction film (1997), directed by , playing the supporting role of Billy, an assistant to an archaeologist. 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. The film, directed by Nick Stagliano, explored working-class struggles in a declining steel town and received a limited release. Perry's television work in the early emphasized darker, more complex characters. He guest-starred on HBO's prison drama Oz from 2001 to 2002 as the intense evangelical preacher Reverend Cloutier, appearing in multiple episodes across seasons 5 and 6. In , he made a on The WB's What I Like About You, playing a who reconnects with a character from his past in a single episode. 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. 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. Perry also ventured into voice acting during this period. He provided the voice of Rick Jones, a young ally to the , in the The Incredible Hulk (1996–1997) on , 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 "," though this predated his full departure from 90210. On stage, Perry made his Broadway debut in 2001, replacing as Brad Majors in the revival of at the Circle in the Square Theatre. He performed the role from late June to early August, contributing to the production's cult appeal amid Tony Award nominations. Perry experienced a career resurgence in the late 2010s with the role of Fred Andrews, the devoted father of , 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 * until his death halted further involvement. His final on-screen role was as actor 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. The couple, who met in the early , wed in a private ceremony in Beverly Hills. Their lasted a decade, ending in an amicable divorce in 2003. Perry and Sharp had two children together: son Jack Perry, born on June 16, 1997, and daughter Sophie Perry, born on June 7, 2000. 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. 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. 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. 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. In the years after his , Perry began a long-term relationship with Wendy Madison Bauer, a family therapist and former actress, around 2007. The couple kept their romance private but became engaged sometime before Perry's death, with plans for a wedding on August 17, 2019. Perry semi-retired to his Sherman Oaks, California, home, where he lived with Bauer and spent time with his children.

Advocacy and interests

Perry was an avid horse enthusiast and rancher who owned a 380-acre property in , 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 . His children, 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. Beyond ranching, Perry enjoyed reading 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 when he successfully fought local regulations to keep three Vietnamese potbellied pigs as pets on his property. Perry engaged in philanthropy by donating thousands of dollars to various charities, including those supporting children and his native communities, such as schools in and Fredericktown where he grew up. He actively participated in events for the 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 for "Be Chrool to Your Scuel," a zombie-themed high school satire. Following a 2015 routine that revealed precancerous polyps, became a vocal advocate for screenings, partnering with Fight Colorectal Cancer to promote early detection through 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.

Illness and death

Health issues

In 2015, Luke Perry underwent a routine that revealed precancerous polyps in his colon, which were immediately removed to prevent the development of . No cancer was diagnosed, but the discovery prompted him to adopt healthier lifestyle habits, including reducing his intake of and potatoes, and he actively advocated for regular screenings to raise awareness about colorectal health risks. Perry had a family history of cardiovascular disease, with his father dying from a heart attack at age 35 when Perry was 14. He also dealt with high , managed through medication and dietary adjustments, alongside a history of smoking earlier in life that contributed to potential long-term risks. Despite these concerns, Perry stayed physically active by tending to his approximately 400-acre horse ranch in , where daily chores like horseback riding and farm maintenance helped maintain his fitness. In the weeks leading up to February 2019, Perry reported ongoing , which neighbors noted had worsened and may have necessitated surgical treatment. Specific details on other risk factors, such as , were not publicly disclosed prior to that time.

Death and immediate aftermath

On February 27, 2019, Luke Perry suffered a massive ischemic at his home in Sherman Oaks, California, prompting paramedics to respond around 9:40 a.m. and rush him to in nearby Burbank, where he was placed on . 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 on March 4, 2019; he died shortly thereafter at 12:44 p.m. PDT, at the age of 52. An and confirmed the as an ischemic cerebrovascular accident, resulting from a blockage in a , with no contributing factors such as drugs or alcohol noted in toxicology reports. Perry's private funeral was held on March 11, 2019, near his family's farm in , 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. In the immediate aftermath, production on Riverdale—where Perry played Fred Andrews—was suspended for two days to allow the and 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. Co-stars from , including and , 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.

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 , influenced subsequent teen drama archetypes, such as in Gossip Girl and elements of ' dynamic in Riverdale, where similar motifs of charismatic outsiders navigating moral ambiguity persisted. 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. Perry's broader cultural contributions extended to health advocacy, particularly in reducing stigma around men's preventive care through his partnership with Fight , 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 to accelerate natural decomposition and neutralize toxins, drew significant media attention and helped popularize sustainable funeral options amid growing environmental concerns. In representations of , 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 expiration date and modeling graceful transitions beyond youthful leads. Following his from a at age 52, his case amplified awareness of the condition in younger adults under 65, which accounts for about one-third of cases, prompting campaigns to address risk factors in younger demographics. 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.

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. 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. 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. 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 . The film's , featuring Perry posthumously, received a Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the 2020 SAG Awards, where co-star publicly remembered Perry during the ceremony. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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." In November 2025, Riverdale co-star Madelaine Petsch shared the "two really strong pieces of advice" Perry had given her, highlighting his ongoing influence. 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 to mature artist. In 2025, the documentary I Am Luke Perry, directed by Adrian Buitenhuis and premiered on on March 1, further celebrated his life through family interviews and archival footage, teased earlier in entertainment media as a comprehensive . 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. 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.

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.
TitleRoleYearsEpisodes
LovingKenny Powell1987–198865
Another WorldKenny1988–198910
MatlockPierce Harrington19881
Beverly Hills, 90210Dylan McKay1990–1995, 1998–2000200
Spin CityBilly McCoy19961 (pilot)
The Incredible HulkRick Jones199613
OzReverend Jeremiah Cloutier2001–20028
The Zeta ProjectEzekiel2001–20025
What I Like About YouTodd20032
JeremiahJeremiah2002–200435
The SimpsonsHimself19931
RiverdaleFred Andrews2017–201946

Film roles

Perry began his on-screen career with an uncredited appearance as a schoolboy who transforms into a in the 1985 music video for Twisted Sister's "Be Chrool to Your Scuel," featuring . His feature film debut came in 1991 with the ensemble drama , where he played the character Ray Ray, a young man entangled in a web of Southern small-town intrigue alongside stars like and . In 1992, Perry starred as John Hunter in the independent thriller Terminal Bliss, portraying a troubled teen navigating betrayal and among affluent friends. That same year, he took on the supporting role of Oliver Pike, a laid-back biker aiding the titular heroine, in the action-comedy , a role that capitalized on his emerging heartthrob status during the era. Perry's early 1990s momentum continued with the lead in 1994's biographical sports drama , where he portrayed professional bull rider , whose real-life story of courage and tragedy earned the film praise for its authentic depiction of culture. Transitioning to mid-career projects, he appeared as radio host Billy in the 1997 blockbuster , directed by , providing a brief but memorable supporting turn in the high-octane adventure starring and . In 1999, Perry played Frankie in the independent drama The Florentine, a character study of working-class life in a bar, sharing the screen with and in this character-driven ensemble piece. 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. in the 2001 action-thriller The Enemy, where he starred as a racing to avert a global catastrophe, co-starring with and . In 2007, Perry led the disaster film (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 in a nostalgic nod to 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. He was also nominated for a Young Artist Award in 1991 for Best Young Actor Supporting or Re-Occurring Role for a TV Series. In , won two Awards for Best Male TV Star, in 1993 and 1994, reflecting his international popularity as . He received two nominations from the for : in 2004 for Favorite – Male and in 2007 for Break Up That Was So Bad It Was Good (shared with ). Posthumously, Perry earned a 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. Perry did not receive any Emmy or Golden Globe nominations during his lifetime.
YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
1991Young Artist AwardsBest Young Actor Supporting or Re-Occurring Role for a TV SeriesNominated
1992Young Artist AwardsOutstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Television SeriesWon (shared)
1993Young Artist AwardsBest Young Leading Actor in a Television SeriesWon
1993Bravo Otto AwardsBest Male TV StarWon
1994Bravo Otto AwardsBest Male TV StarWon
2004TV Land AwardsFavorite Teen Dream – MaleNominated
2007TV Land AwardsBreak Up That Was So Bad It Was GoodNominated (shared)
2020Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PictureOnce Upon a Time in HollywoodNominated (posthumous)

References

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