“He never regained consciousness,” the source explains. “Things were so dire that they put him under heavy sedation. He was gone, basically, by the time he got to the hospital.”
Perry was hospitalized on Feb. 27 after paramedics were dispatched to his home in Sherman Oaks, California. The actor remained “under observation” for five days but died on Monday, March 4.
“Actor Luke Perry, 52, passed away today after suffering a massive stroke,” read a statement from Perry’s rep.
“He was surrounded by 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. No further details will be released at this time.”
Perry, who starred as Fred Andrews on the CW series Riverdale, was best known for playing Dylan McKay on the hit TV series Beverly Hills, 90210 from 1990-1995. He returned again in 1998 until 2000.
“Everyone is devastated,” the source adds.
Perry wed Rachel “Minnie” Sharp in 1993, but they split in 2003. Since their divorce, the couple has shared joint custody of son Jack, 21, and 18-year-old daughter Sophie.
In lieu of flowers, the Perry family ask that donations be made to Fight Colorectal Cancerthis link opens in a new tab and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
