Canadian actor and director Jason Priestley paid tribute to his late friend and costar Luke Perry who died 4 years ago at the age of 52 due to a stroke.
During a recent episode of the Hey Dude… The 90s Called podcast, hosted by former Hey Dude co-stars David Lascher and Christine Taylor, Jason Priestley, who co-starred with Luke Perry on “Beverly Hills, 90210”, paused to contemplate the life and impact of his departed friend.
“Luke and I obviously were really good friends when we were working on the show together. We were really good friends outside of that too,” said Priestley.
Jokingly, Priestley remarked that Perry, who resided in the vicinity, frequently dropped by his place for a visit without any hesitation.
“He lived three blocks away from me in Los Angeles and he would just ride his bike over to my house and ring the doorbell. I’d be like, ‘who’s here?’ and I’d open the door and it’d be Luke, like ‘hey dude, what’s up!’
He then opened up about his friendship with Perry after 90210 wrapped in 2000.
“We worked together a number of times outside of the show and we really enjoyed all the years we had together but unfortunately that got cut short,” Priestley said. “It’s bittersweet every March when we go by the anniversary of his passing.”
On February 27, 2019, Perry suffered a stroke at his residence in Sherman Oaks, California, and passed away at the age of 52 on March 4, 2019. According to People at the time, the actor did not regain consciousness, and he was declared deceased after being hospitalized for five days.
“It was a real freak thing that happened with him and it was a good reminder to spend time with people you love and never take any of it for granted,” added Priestley of the loss.
Lascher said Luke’s passing was devastating for him.
“It was such a freaking shock,” Lascher said. “[Luke was] one of the sweetest, kindest, he was literally one of my first friends in LA.”
Immediately following his death, Shannen Doherty expressed her devastation in a statement to People.
“I am in shock. Heartbroken. Devastated by the loss of my friend,” Doherty said. “I have so many memories with Luke that make me smile and that are forever imprinted on my heart and mind.”
“Luke was a smart, quiet, humble, and complex man with a heart of gold and a never-ending well of integrity and love,” she added.
Luke Perry’s final acting role before his passing was portraying Fred Andrews in the television series “Riverdale.” However, he was most famously recognized for his portrayal of Dylan McKay in the popular show “Beverly Hills, 90210” from 1990 to 1995. Perry left the show but later returned in 1998 and remained until the series concluded in 2000.