He spent the next 15 years doing a variety of film and television work, and his career had started to flourish again in the last two years. Three years later he was on the West End opposite Allyson Hannigan in When Harry Met Sally. Once 90210 had wrapped, Perry tried his hand at stage acting, appearing in a Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 2001 as Brad. The pair were together for 10 years before they split, and remained close until the actor's death. While his other cast mates were the subject of much tabloid fodder, Perry managed to avoid that side of the business and in 1993 married Rachel Minnie Sharp. He lost that role, but producers felt he would be perfect for McKay, the unchaperoned bad boy whose romantic entanglements drive much of the plot during the show's first two seasons.
His role on 90210 was almost not to be, with Perry initially auditioning for the role of Steve Sanders, which would be played by Ian Ziering.
Perry's desire to act ultimately led him to Los Angeles after high school, and he worked various construction and carpentry jobs in the five years it took him to land work. He was raised in Fredericktown, where his one big role was as the high school mascot. In addition to his acting career, Perry had been an advocate for colon cancer testing after discovering he had precancerous growths during a 2015 colonoscopy.Ĭoy Luther Perry III was born in 1966 to Ann, a homemaker, and Coy Jr, a steel worker, in Ohio. Our thoughts are with Luke’s family during this most difficult time,' 'A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness.
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and CW family, Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all,' said the producers of the show in a statement. A beloved member of the Riverdale, Warner Bros. 'We are deeply saddened to learn today about the passing of Luke Perry.
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He had starred on the CW series Riverdale up until his death, and had recently filmed a role in Quentin Tarantino's latest film Once Upon A Time In Hollywood alongside Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie.
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In the wake of 90210 he appeared on a number of TV shows, including Oz, Windfall and John From Cincinnati, but none that reached the heights of 90210. Tributes are pouring in from Perry's friends and co-stars including Molly Ringwald, Ian Ziering and more.He got his start with a 10-episode run on Another World before shooting to fame as the brooding loner Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills 90210 for 10 seasons.Coy Luther Perry III moved to Los Angeles to try his hand at acting shortly after graduating from high school in Ohio.He is also survived by his fiance Wendy Madison Bauer, who was at his side when he passed away along with his children, siblings and mother.The actor, aged 52, is survived by his son Jack, 21, and daughter Sophie, 18, from his marriage to ex-wife Rachel Minnie Sharp.Luke Perry was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday when he suffered a massive stroke, but passed away on Monday.Beverly Hills 90210 star Luke Perry dies aged 52 surrounded by his family, fiancée and two children - just days after suffering a massive stroke