Mansfield, Ohio native and "Beverly Hill, 90210" alumnus Luke Perry, who in his later years became an advocate against colorectal cancer and a supportive paternal figure on the CW's "Riverdale," died Monday.
Perry, 52, had been hospitalized Feb. 28 following a stroke. According to his publicist, he died in the company of his children, fiancee, family and friends.
"The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Luke from around the world," Perry's publicist says. https://t.co/iibFca4sU0 pic.twitter.com/T7GtkpyLZb
— ABC News (@ABC) March 4, 2019
A graduate of Fredricktown High School in Fredricktown, Ohio, Perry acted in soap operas before rising to fame via his role as teen heartthrob Dylan McKay in "Beverly Hills, 90210." He would remain a fixture of '90s teen culture despite deliberate attempts to break free — he left "90210" in '95 only to return three years later.
After the drama wrapped for good, Perry starred in HBO's "Oz," played himself in guest appearances on "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy," and moonlighted on long-running TV staples such as "Will & Grace" and "Law and Order."
His role as hero Archie Andrews's father on "Riverdale" brought his career full circle, turning the one-time king of Tiger Beat into a parental presence on "90210's" soapy spiritual descendant.
Perry dedicated much of his "Riverdale"-related publicity into raising awareness of colorectal cancer, a condition he had come close to developing.
"People have embarrassments because of what it’s about," he told Us Weekly in 2017. "It’s a ridiculous reason to die.”
