Ian Ziering, Molly Ringwald, and More Stars Pay Tribute to Luke Perry After His Death
Friends and fans alike are mourning the untimely death of Luke Perry, who passed away at the age of 52 on Monday, March 4, after suffering a stroke last week. Several of Perry’s Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale costars have already shared tributes to the late actor on social media, and more are sure to follow throughout the day.
Ian Ziering, who played Steve Sanders on Beverly Hills, 90210, was among the first to honor Perry’s memory on Twitter. “Dearest Luke, I will forever bask in the loving memories we’ve shared over the last thirty years,” he began. “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.”
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.— Ian Ziering (@IanZiering) March 4, 2019
Christine Elise McCarthy, who appeared on Beverly Hills, 90210 as Emily Valentine, shared an Instagram photo of herself with Perry and Jason Priestley, writing, “With the heaviest of hearts, I am stunned and devastated to tell you that Luke passed away. I am still in shock and I have no words beyond saying he was a truly kind gentleman. He will be mourned and missed by everyone who knew him and the millions who love him. RIP, dearie Luke. Your time here was far too short.”
On Twitter, Emma Caulfield Ford, who played Susan Keats on season 6 of the show in the mid-’90s, recalled their first meeting on set. “My first day on 90210 Luke brought me under his wings & made me feel welcome. His first words to me were ‘so how are the bitches treating you?’ It made me laugh & I felt like I had an ally in my corner,” she wrote. “You set a tone and made sure I could thrive. It was my first real gig and your kindness was rarely matched. God bless you Luke. You’re with the rest of the angels.”
In a follow-up tweet, she added “one last thing” about Perry: “In a time where the #metoo movement has cast a deserved light on the bad men who have mistreated women in Hollywood and elsewhere, let it be remembered that Luke was a real man — kind, supportive, open-hearted, vulnerable, strong, and fair.
My first day on 90210 Luke brought me under his wings & made me feel welcome. His first words to me were “so how are the bitches treating you ?” It made me laugh & I felt like I had an ally in my corner. You set a tone and made sure I could thrive. It was my first real gig and..
— emma caulfield ford (@emmacaulfield) March 4, 2019
Kathleen Robertson, who played Clare Arnold on 90210, had a similar story about Perry welcoming her into the fold. “As a young girl from Hamilton Ontario coming onto the biggest show in the world mid stream, Luke welcomed me from day one,” she tweeted. “My heart breaks.”
Molly Ringwald, who recurs on The CW’s Riverdale as Mary Andrews, the ex-wife of Perry’s character Fred Andrews, also wrote that her heart was broken, adding, “I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family.”
My heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family. ❤️ #LukePerry
— Molly Ringwald (@MollyRingwald) March 4, 2019
And Joss Whedon, who worked with Perry on 1992’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer film, said he hit it off with Perry immediately. “The first time I met Luke Perry we talked about what kind of movie we wanted Buffy to be. I asked if he’d ever seen [the 1987 vampire film] Near Dark and he gave me a look of HOW DARE YOU SIR and I knew we’d get along,” Whedon recalled. “Funny, committed, and always gracious. He shouldn’t be gone.”
The first time I met Luke Perry we talked about what kind of movie we wanted “Buffy” to be. I asked if he’d ever seen “Near Dark” and he gave me a look of HOW DARE YOU SIR and I knew we’d get along. Funny, committed, and always gracious. He shouldn’t be gone.
— Joss Whedon (@joss) March 4, 2019
Other tributes came from stars who were close with Perry, had crossed paths with him over the years, or simply admired him and his career.
“Luke Perry — irreplaceable, beautiful, and kind human being, incredible friend, generous actor, and adoring father to Jack and Sophie and loving partner to Madison,” Patricia Arquette wrote on Twitter, mentioning Perry’s family. “We are all heartbroken. You are the love and you are the light.”
Selma Blair posted a photo of Perry on Instagram, writing, “One of the kindest men I had ever met. I did not have the pleasure of really knowing him but we all wanted to. My heart feels so much breaking for his family and friends. I am sorry.”
Ashley Tisdale used Instagram to share a personal memory, captioning a pic of the actor, “My heart hurts. One of my first jobs was a guest appearance on 90210. My scenes were with Luke. I had a crush on him for so long and getting to work with him was a dream come true. I just remember him being a super humble and really nice guy.”
Scott Foley also remembered Perry as “humble and kind,” and Charlie Sheen said he “made every situation better” just by being there. “Your elegance, your wit, your charm, and your giant heart, inspired and enchanted so many of us, on countless occasions, with brilliant aplomb,” Sheen wrote. “R.I.P. good sir. I am truly honored to have known you all of these years.”
Luke Perry was humble and kind every time we crossed paths. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing.
— scott foley (@scottkfoley) March 4, 2019
L.P.
you
made every
situation better,
my man.your
elegance
your wit
your charm
and
your giant heart,
inspired and
enchanted so many
of us,
on countless
occasions,
with brilliant aplomb.R.I.P good sir.
i am
truly honored
to have known you
all of these years.©️
❤️
— Charlie Sheen (@charliesheen) March 4, 2019
The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik, for her part, tweeted, “RIP Luke Perry,” with a broken-heart emoji and a pic of the actor in his younger days, while Billy Eichner shared the heartbroken emoji with the name of Perry’s beloved Beverly Hills, 90210 character. Melissa Joan Hart, Alyson Hannigan, and Rachel Leigh Cook also mourned his passing and sent their condolences to his loved ones.
Dylan. 💔💔💔
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) March 4, 2019
Heartbroken! 💔
I always thought I would some day work with #LukePerry but now that dream is shattered. All my love to his family! Gone too soon! Such a loss! #RIP https://t.co/EkCMlYHrEv— Melissa Joan Hart (@MelissaJoanHart) March 4, 2019
I’m heartbroken to hear Luke Perry passed away. Sending love to his family and friends. R.I.P.
— alyson hannigan (@alydenisof) March 4, 2019
#LukePerry was my first & only tv crush. If anyone in his family happens to see this: thank you for sharing your loved one with us. We mourn with you & cherish his memory always ❤️
— Rachael Leigh Cook (@RachaelLCook) March 4, 2019
Finally, the Riverdale writers room shared a tribute to Perry, tweeting, “Luke Perry… you were a joyful and vibrant soul. You will be missed but most certainly your legacy will be remembered forever. Rest in love and peace, friend.”
Luke Perry… you were a joyful and vibrant soul. You will be missed but most certainly your legacy will be remembered forever. Rest in love and peace, friend. #Riverdale
— Riverdale Writers Room (@RiverdaleWriter) March 4, 2019
RELATED: Luke Perry Has Died at Age 52
(Photo via Mark Davis/Getty Images)
