Luke Perry star of Beverly Hills 90210 dies aged 52 after stroke
The actor became a household name in the 90s for his role as the brooding loner and heart-throb Dylan McKay.
Thursday 7 March 2019 19:20, UK
US actor Luke Perry has died aged 52 after suffering a stroke on Wednesday.
Perry became a household name for his role as Dylan McKay in Beverly Hills 90210 between 1990 and 2000.
He more recently appeared as the construction business owner Fred Andrews in the US drama Riverdale.
Perry is also set to appear as Scott Lancer in Quentin Tarantino's upcoming movie Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, which is now in post-production.
Perry became a heart-throb in the 90s through his role as Dylan in 90210, with his image adorning the covers of magazines aimed at adolescent girls.
The show, which aired in the UK on ITV and later Sky One, was about a group of high school students living among Southern California affluence whilst dealing with teen angst.
Perry was in his mid-20s when he started playing Dylan, a brooding loner on a motorcycle with prominent sideburns and bad-boy tendencies.
One of the key plot lines was Perry's character developing a romance with Brenda, played by Shannen Doherty, before moving on to her best friend, Kelly, played by Jennie Garth.
The 90210 in the title refers to one of the city's five postcodes.
The same day Perry was taken to hospital last week after suffering a stroke, Fox TV announced that it would be running a six-episode return of 90210 featuring most of the original cast.
Perry was not among those announced.
Ian Ziering, who played Steve Sanders on 90210, tweeted after Perry's death: "Dearest Luke, I will forever bask in the loving memories we've shared over the last thirty years.
"May your journey forward be enriched by the magnificent souls who have passed before you, just like you have done here, for those you leave behind."
Perry's Riverdale co-star Molly Ringwald posted on Twitter: "My heart is broken.
"I will miss you so much Luke Perry.
"Sending all my love to your family."
Perry has had roles in a handful of films including The Fifth Element, 8 Seconds and American Strays.
He also appeared in HBO's prison drama Oz and voiced characters in cartoons including The Incredible Hulk and Mortal Kombat.
Perry's publicist Arnold Robinson said in a statement that his children Jack and Sophie, his fiance Wendy Madison Bauer, and his ex-wife Minnie Sharp were with him when he died.
His mother Ann Bennett, stepfather Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends were also by his side.
Mr Robinson added in his statement: "The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Luke from around the world, and respectfully request privacy in this time of great mourning.
"No further details will be released at this time."