Revisiting the Actor’s Final Days 6 Years Later

Luke Perry’s legacy lives on years after his tragic death at 52 years old.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale actor died on March 4, 2019, five days after suffering a massive stroke.

Perry rose to fame in the 1990s when he starred as Dylan McKay on the hit TV series Beverly Hills, 90210. He then went on to appear in 1992’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 1997’s The Fifth Element. At the time of his death, Perry had a leading role on The CW’s Riverdale as Fred Andrews.

In addition to a heartfelt Riverdale tribute, Perry’s legacy is continued off-screen through his two children — Jack and Sophie — whom he welcomed with his ex-wife, Rachel “Minnie” Sharp. Perry was also quietly engaged to Wendy Madison Bauer, who spoke out one week after his death and said that her fiancé would be “dearly missed.”

“The past 11½ years with Luke were the happiest years of my life, and I am grateful to have had that time with him,” she told PEOPLE. “I also want to thank his children, family, and friends for their love and support. We have found comfort in one another and in the knowledge that our lives were touched by an extraordinary man.”

To mark six years since the actor’s death, here’s a look at how Luke Perry died and the legacy he left behind.

When did Luke Perry die?

Perry died on March 4, 2019.

Perry’s rep confirmed the actor’s death in a statement and shared that he was surrounded by his loved ones, including “his children Jack and Sophie, fiancé Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, step-father Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends.”

“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,” the statement continued.

How did Luke Perry die?

Perry was hospitalized after suffering a stroke on Feb. 27, 2019, at his home in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

A source told PEOPLE that he never regained consciousness, saying, “Things were so dire that they put him under heavy sedation. He was gone, basically, by the time he got to the hospital.”

Perry died after five days of remaining “under observation,” per his rep.

What was Luke Perry’s cause of death?

According to a copy of his death certificate obtained by PEOPLE, Perry’s cause of death was listed as an “ischemic cerebrovascular accident,” also known as a stroke.

Per the certificate, Perry was buried in Dickson, Tenn., after being a part-time resident of the state and owning a farm there since 1995.

How old was Luke Perry when he died?

Perry was 52 years old when he died.

How did the public react to Luke Perry’s death?

In the wake of Perry’s death, an outpouring of grief, love and support flooded social media from costars and fans alike.

Shannen Doherty, who played Perry’s 90210 love interest Brenda Walsh, told PEOPLE that she was “in shock” and “devastated by the loss of [her] friend.”

“I have so many memories with Luke that make me smile and that are forever imprinted on my heart and mind,” she said. “Luke was a smart, quiet, humble and complex man with a heart of gold and never-ending well of integrity and love.”

Perry’s fellow 90210 costar Ian Ziering was the first alum of the show to post a heartfelt tribute, writing on X, “Dearest Luke, I will forever bask in the loving memories we’ve shared over the last thirty years.”

He continued, “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.”

Like her castmates, Jennie Garth also paid tribute, releasing a statement to PEOPLE about the “terrible loss,” saying, “My heart is broken. He meant so much to so many. Such a very special person. I share my deep sadness with his family and all who loved him.”

Meanwhile, another 90210 costar and Perry’s close friend Tori Spelling told PEOPLE she was in “utter shock” and “heartbroken.”

“Luke was one of the kindest and most humble human beings I’ve ever known,” she said. “I’m grateful for the years of friendship we had. He truly was family to me, a protector and a brother. I’m so sorry for the loss that everyone is experiencing.”

His Riverdale family also paid tribute. Perry’s costar, Molly Ringwald, who played his ex-wife, wrote on X, “I will miss you so much, Luke Perry.”

Additionally, Robin Givens told PEOPLE that Perry was the “kindest and gentlest soul the world will ever know.”

Perry’s costar Lili Reinhart, who starred as lead Betty Cooper, wrote on X that she was “finding it hard to grasp that he will no longer be around to give long hugs and share his wisdom and kindness with all of us.”

Meanwhile, K.J. Apa, who portrayed Perry’s on-screen son Archie Andrews, shared a sweet photo of the pair on Instagram, writing, “Rest in love bro.”

One year after Perry’s death, Apa continued to remember Perry during an appearance on The View, saying, “He’s one of the best people I’ve ever known in my life. I hope I can be half the man that he was.”

How did Riverdale pay tribute to Luke Perry’s character?

At the time of his death, Perry was a series regular on Riverdale, starring as Fred Andrews. When the show returned for season 4 in October 2019, the premiere episode, titled “Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam,” addressed Perry’s absence and paid tribute to the actor.

At the start of the episode, Archie received a phone call from his dad. He stepped away from the booth where he’d been sitting with friends, then suddenly dropped his phone and fell to his knees. In the next scene, officials informed Archie and his mom that Fred was struck by a speeding vehicle after pulling over to help a stranded car.

Later, Archie and his friends visited the site where Fred died and found his vehicle. As Archie was looking through his dad’s belongings, a car pulled up behind him, and a mystery woman — Perry’s 90210 costar and longtime friend Doherty — stepped out with flowers to pay her respects.

The woman shared with Archie that she was the one who his dad had stopped to help, and revealed that Fred had pushed her out of the way just before the speeding car hit him.

“He saved my life,” Doherty’s character told Archie. “If he hadn’t done what he did, there’s no way that I would be here right now. I know that.”

Then, Archie and his friends joined Doherty’s character in reciting a special prayer for Fred.

Following the episode, Doherty — who later died on July 13, 2024 — posted photos of herself and Perry on Instagram, writing, “I am deeply honored to pay tribute to Luke on Riverdale.”

The actress continued, “The care in which this show takes in honoring his memory is beautiful. He is missed. Today. Tomorrow. Forever.”

Additionally, Doherty opened up about her cameo during an appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan in August 2019, explaining that Perry had been trying to get her to join the cast for some time.

“To know that Luke, ever since he joined Riverdale, has been like sort of harassing them about trying to get me on the show and they’ve always said no, it’s like his wish,” she said. “It’s beautiful, it’s really special.”

How have Luke Perry’s kids honored his legacy?

Perry’s son Jack and daughter Sophie were by his side when he died and have continued to honor his legacy since.

The day after Perry’s death, Jack shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, writing, “He was a lot of things to a lot of people. To me, he was always Dad.”

“He loved supported me in everything, and inspired me to be the best that I could possibly be,” Jack continued. “I’ve learned so much from you, and my heart is broken thinking about everything you won’t be here for.”

Jack also vowed to honor his father forever, writing, “I’ll do whatever I can to carry on your legacy and make you proud. I love you Dad.”

Since then, Jack has attended charity events in Perry’s honor, including the American ICON Awards, and reflected on the values his father instilled in him.

“My dad really just taught me to be as nice as you can to everyone you can,” he told PEOPLE in May 2019. “He was from Ohio and he grew up with not a lot of money and I think he never really lost touch with who he was.”

Jack continued, “He was always just a really good guy above everything else.”

Sophie has also honored her dad in various ways, including getting a mushroom tattoo as a nod to Perry and sharing sweet Instagram tributes on Father’s Day and birthdays.

After Perry died, Sophie returned to Malawi, Africa, where she had been working as a development instructor helping to build preschools in rural communities. In April 2019, Sophie and two of her friends completed their first preschool and named it after Perry.