THEN AND NOW
Luke Perry Through the Years: From ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ to ‘Riverdale’
March 4, 2019
Mikel Roberts/Sygma via Getty Images; Ron Galella/WireImage; Scott Gries/ImageDirect; CW
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From Dylan McKay to Fred Andrews. Luke Perry has made his mark on Hollywood, from his breakout role on Beverly Hills, 90210 to his comeback gig on Riverdale.
The actor was born in Ohio on October 11, 1966. He grew up in the Midwestern state before moving to Los Angeles shortly after his high school graduation to pursue a career in acting.
Perry got his start in soap operas. He appeared on Another World from 1988 to 1989. Soon after, he landed his part on 90210.
The Riverdale star was cast as the bad boy of West Beverly High School in the teen drama, which ran on Fox from 1990 to 2000. He starred alongside Tori Spelling (Donna Martin), Jennie Garth (Kelly Taylor), Ian Ziering (Steve Sanders), Shannen Doherty (Brenda Walsh), Jason Priestley (Brandon Walsh) and Brian Austin Green (David Silver).
Perry moved on from his career-launching role before the show ended — and later came back to wrap up his character’s story. He pursued film roles, voiceover work and TV appearances in the meantime.
In 2017, the 8 Seconds actor returned to his roots as Archie Andrews’ (KJ Apa) dad on the CW hit Riverdale. His costars include fellow ‘90s icons Skeet Ulrich, Mädchen Amick and Mark Consuelos, who also play parents of the murderous town’s teens.
Perry wed Rachel Sharp in 1993. The pair welcomed son Jack in 1997 and daughter Sophie in 2000, but they divorced 10 years after tying the knot.
He admitted to Us Weekly in March 2017 that he would not want his daughter to date his character Dylan McKay. “I know that brother,” he quipped. “I know what he’s up to. … He’s absolutely a man of character, so she could do worse. But it wouldn’t be my first pick, no.”
The Oz alum dealt with precancerous growths in 2015. He suffered a massive stroke in February 2019 and died less than a week later.
Scroll to take a look back at Perry’s career, love life, family and more:
Soapy Start
Perry appeared in the 1985 music video for Twisted Sister’s “Be Chrool to Your Scuel” and later landed a commercial. He went on to appear on soap operas Loving and Another World in the late ‘80s.
Welcome to the BH
The actor starred as Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210 from 1990 to 2000. He left the show in season 6 but returned in season 9. Perry predicted in January 2012 that his character grew up to be a private investigator.
Credit: Mikel Roberts/Sygma via Getty Images
Growing Fame
Perry earned the role of Pike in 1992’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie, which preceded the TV series.
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage
Love on the Horizon
The Incredible Hulk alum married Sharp in 1993. Their marriage ended in 2003. He was later linked to Garth, though a source shot down the romance rumors to Us in August 2012.
Credit: Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images
Film Buff
Perry played real-life rodeo champion Lane Frost in the 1994 biopic 8 Seconds. He told Us in January 2012 that he liked western-set projects because “you’re going to do better with stuff that you’re drawn to.”
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage
A Different Role
The actor stepped into fatherhood while still on 90210. His son, Jack, who eventually became a professional wrestler, was born in June 1997, while daughter Sophie arrived in June 2000.
Credit: SGranitz/WireImage
New Path
The Ohio native transitioned to more adult content, starring on HBO’s Oz as Reverend Jeremiah Cloutier from 2001 to 2002.
Credit: Scott Gries/ImageDirect
Broadway Bound
Perry made his Broadway debut as Brad Majors in a revival of The Rocky Horror Show in 2001.
Credit: Diane L. Cohen/Getty Images
Cancer Scare
He revealed to Fox News in March 2017 that he had precancerous growths removed after the anomalies were discovered during a 2015 colonoscopy.
Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Mr. Andrews
Perry returned to TV in January 2017 as Fred Andrews, the father of iconic comic book character Archie Andrews, on The CW’s Riverdale.
Credit: CW
Health Battle
Us confirmed in February 2019 that the veteran actor suffered a massive stroke at his L.A. home. “Mr. Perry is currently under observation at the hospital,” his rep told Us at the time.
Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
