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Fans And Celebs Are Sharing Heartfelt Stories About Luke Perry That Will Make You Tear Up

The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' and 'Riverdale' actor passed away on Monday morning, 4 March.

Cover image via Instagram @lilireinhart / CBS

Actor Luke Perry, best known for his roles in Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale, has died after suffering a stroke last week. He was 52.

Image via imgur.com

The actor was hospitalised after suffering a massive stroke at his home in Sherman Oaks, California last Wednesday, 27 February. Sadly, he passed away due to complications from the stroke on Monday morning, 4 March surrounded by family and close friends. 

Born Coy Luther Perry III on 11 October 1966 in Mansfield, Ohio, Perry shot to fame (and basically achieved teen heartthrob status) in the '90s as rich bad boy Dylan McKay on the hit TV series Beverly Hills, 90210

Luke Perry (third from left) with the OG cast of 'Beverly Hills, 90210'.

Image via CBS

Perry, who moved to Los Angeles shortly after graduating from high school to pursue acting, also starred in the 1992 Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie and had guest spots in notable TV shows like The Simpsons, Law and Order: SVU, Criminal Minds, and Community

Up until his death, Perry also starred as Archie Andrews' father Fred in Riverdale.

Luke Perry as Fred Andrews (left) with KJ Apa as Archie.

Image via CW

In light of his untimely death, celebrities as well as Perry's co-workers and fans have taken to social media to share their favourite memories and stories about the down-to-earth actor:

1. He was always willing to lend a helping hand

2. Colin Hanks posted an amazing story about how Perry calmed down two boisterous children during a flight with balloons

"He tells me he always flies with a couple of balloons for that very reason, to give to screaming kids," Hanks wrote.

Read the full post here: 

View this post on Instagram

I only met him once but the story is too good not tell given todays sad events. My wife and I are on a plane back from Mexico. Couple of rows ahead of us, these two brothers, young kids, are beating the hell out of eachother. Their poor parents are powerless to stop the crying, yelling and screaming. If you're a parent you understand. Sometimes there's nothing you can do. It was like this for close to two hours. Then about 10 minutes before landing it starts to get real bad. Out of no where, a man comes from first class. Hat, beard, sunglasses, blowing up a balloon. He ties it off, hands it off like he's holding out a sword to a king. Kneeling, Head down, arms up. Kids calm down in milliseconds. Plane damn near bursts into applause. 15 minutes longer and it probably would have started WWIII, but we landed before that could happen. We get off the plane, are waiting on line in customs. Finally get a good look at the guy and I say to my wife "Holy shit. I think that balloon man/hero" is Luke Perry". As luck would have it we end up standing next to each other. Out of the blue he turns to me and says some kind words about Fargo, which kinda blew my mind. I start singing his praises about how long I've admired him and also about the move with the balloon. "That's a pro move! You can't teach that!" I say. He tells me he always flies with a couple of balloons for that very reason, to give to screaming kids. Don't know if that's true, but have no reason to believe it wasn't. Guy seemed like a true gent. Gone way too damn soon. Also, I'll be damned if I don't start traveling with some spare balloons #promove #rip #lukeperry #truegent

A post shared by Colin Hanks (@colinhanks) on

3. A 90210 fan recalled feeling "overwhelmed" meeting the actor, who proposed a "prom pic pose" when they were about to take a selfie

4. Perry, who owned a farm in Nashville, Tennessee, volunteered his services during a flood in 2010

5. A fan remembered how Perry made David Hasselhoff apologise to her for jumping ahead of her in a line to meet him

6. MMA photographer Esther Lin posted a photo of Perry cheering on his son "Jungle Boy" Nate Coy

7. Former 90210 co-star Ian Ziering looks back at the friendship they shared over the past 30 years

8. Riverdale's Lili Reinhart, Casey Cott, and Ross Butler reminisced about the kindness and generosity the show's father figure has shown them while working on the show

9. Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre Sacasa will miss their almost-daily phone calls

10. Leonardo DiCaprio, whom Perry worked with in his last film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, paid tribute to a "kindhearted and incredibly talented artist"

11. Buffy director Joss Whedon highlighted the very moment he knew he was gonna get along with the actor the first time they met

12. Donnie Wahlberg of '90s boyband New Kids on the Block reminisced the squealing fangirls they used to meet

13. Actress Gabrielle Union and model Kimora Lee Simmons once "fangirled so hard" when they bumped into the actor on a flight

14. Before she became an actress, Baywatch star Alexandra Daddario had her first encounter with the "friendly" actor while working in food service

15. A fan brought back a 1992 interview where Perry urged teenagers to speak up as long as racism and sexism still exist

16. Luke Cage star Rosario Dawson recalled finally meeting her "teen crush" and his "great hugs"

17. A journalist remembered him as an actor who was always a pleasure to meet and interview at press events

18. Political aides in Ohio recalled his involvement in state campaigns, remembering him as "down-to-earth" actor with "zero ego"

19. Screenwriter David Iserson witnessed the actor standing up for picketing writers during the 2008 Writers' Strike

20. And last but not least, the legacy he left behind for two separate generations

The world has truly lost a legend. Rest easy now, Luke Perry.

Image via Twitter

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