Remembering Luke Perry: Jason Priestley Reflects On The Life And Legacy Of His Dear Friend And Co-Star

Luke Perry, the star of Beverly Hills 90210, passed away four years ago, but his legacy and life are still very much present in his co-stars’ hearts. 

Jason Priestley, one of Perry’s Beverly Hills, 90210 co-stars, took a moment to reflect on Perry’s life and death while speaking on the Hey Dude… The 90s Called podcast hosted by his former Hey Dude co-stars David Lascher and Christine Taylor. 

Priestley and Perry were great friends both on and off the show, and they had worked together on several projects even after the show ended in 2000. Perry died at the age of 52 on March 4, 2019, after suffering a stroke at his Sherman Oaks, California, home on February 27, 2019.

Priestley spoke fondly about Perry, joking that he lived only three blocks away from him in Los Angeles and had no trouble just popping up at Priestley’s home for a visit. He opened up about their friendship after the show wrapped in 2000, saying that it was bittersweet when March came around, and they remembered Perry’s death anniversary. 

Lascher also shared how Luke’s death devastated him, saying that Luke was one of the kindest people he had met in LA. 

Priestley’s Instagram tribute featured two pictures of the two actors, one from their 90210 days and another from a more recent time. In the post, Priestley described Perry as a truly special person who cared about others and was not only a star but an incredibly bright light that was extinguished far too soon.

“It’s taken me a couple of days to figure out how to write this. My dear friend of 29 years, Luke Perry, was one of those truly special people who really cared … Luke was not only a star, he was an incredibly bright light that was extinguished far too soon … and that is why I, and so many others, are in so much pain today,” mourned Priestly.

He concluded his tribute by saying that you were probably also sad if you had the good fortune to know Luke or to have crossed his path and with the statement, “The candle that burns twice as bright only burns for half as long … you burned oh, so brightly Luke … Goodnight Sweet Prince.”

The death of Perry was a huge loss not only to his friends and family but to the entertainment industry as well. Perry was best known for playing Dylan McKay in Beverly Hills 90210 from 1990 to 1995, then returned in 1998 and remained through 2000. 

He appeared in various film credits, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 8 Seconds, and The Fifth Element, and on sitcoms like Will & Grace and Spin City. Perry’s last role before his death was as Fred Andrews on Riverdale.

Jason Priestley’s recent interview and tribute to his late friend and co-star Luke Perry have reminded us of the importance of cherishing the people we love and never taking them for granted. Perry’s death may have been a loss to the entertainment industry, but his legacy continues to live on, and his memory remains in the hearts of his friends and fans alike.