A better James Dean than James Dean
March 4, 2019 9:55 PM Subscribe
Luke Perry, ‘Beverly Hills 90210’ and ‘Riverdale’ Star, Dead at 52 He died one day after having a massive stroke.
Remembering Luke Perry, Gen-X’s Teen Heartthrob
"Hollywood is a business that typecasts, particularly when you become as famous as Perry did playing a character as young as Dylan was supposed to be at the start. Over the years, Perry did his best to escape the box the industry put him in. He did a memorable stint on HBO’s first drama series Oz as an incarcerated televangelist, becoming the only character on that violent show to essentially be murdered twice. He was one of the earliest celebrities to lampoon himself on The Simpsons, playing Krusty’s half-brother who is badly injured doing a stunt. (“My face!” he screams. “My valuable face!”) He kept taking dramatic roles when he got them, sometimes playing off his own image (as a surfing talent scout in John From Cincinnati), often not. In recent years, he had taken a crucial torch-passing role as Archie Andrews’ father Fred on Riverdale, a high school soap crazier than anything the 90210 writers dreamed of. Perry didn’t play Fred with a wink, but there was a weight to his work that made clear the guy had been through some wildness himself when he was Archie’s age."
R.I.P. Luke Perry, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale star AV Club obit.
LUKE PERRY WAS A BETTER JAMES DEAN THAN JAMES DEAN
"The hook of men like this both on television and in real life is that they are convincingly complex in a world that constantly renders men’s needs and concerns as cartoonishly simple. Perry didn’t play Dylan as an emotionally unavailable cad. He played him as sweetly wounded. After all, Dylan isn’t really a loner as the series progresses. He falls in love, seeks refuge in female relationships and still throws in emotionally at every turn, even getting married in a later season. It ends tragically — how could it not? — but compared to the other rich kids on the show whose problems mostly involve not getting everything they want right away, Dylan McKay’s eternal struggle to make peace with himself and reconcile the way he’s forever sealed off from the happiness everyone else finds so easily is the closest thing the show had to a literary quality.
What makes revisiting Luke Perry’s portrayal of a ’90s Dean particularly interesting today is that it comes in an era where every facet of masculinity has been called into question and we’ve watched men shed that kind of act in exchange for a more beta version. We still see Dean’s brand of masculinity as iconic, and we can’t seem to stop romanticizing it onscreen, in part because what the character does that a real-life bad boy never can is wear those contradictions so well. If only real-life bad boys were actually that cool and interesting — and not, as we now understand them, damaged by cultural conditioning that thwarts their growth."
Requisite Twitter roundup.
Remembering Luke Perry, Gen-X’s Teen Heartthrob
"Hollywood is a business that typecasts, particularly when you become as famous as Perry did playing a character as young as Dylan was supposed to be at the start. Over the years, Perry did his best to escape the box the industry put him in. He did a memorable stint on HBO’s first drama series Oz as an incarcerated televangelist, becoming the only character on that violent show to essentially be murdered twice. He was one of the earliest celebrities to lampoon himself on The Simpsons, playing Krusty’s half-brother who is badly injured doing a stunt. (“My face!” he screams. “My valuable face!”) He kept taking dramatic roles when he got them, sometimes playing off his own image (as a surfing talent scout in John From Cincinnati), often not. In recent years, he had taken a crucial torch-passing role as Archie Andrews’ father Fred on Riverdale, a high school soap crazier than anything the 90210 writers dreamed of. Perry didn’t play Fred with a wink, but there was a weight to his work that made clear the guy had been through some wildness himself when he was Archie’s age."
R.I.P. Luke Perry, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale star AV Club obit.
LUKE PERRY WAS A BETTER JAMES DEAN THAN JAMES DEAN
"The hook of men like this both on television and in real life is that they are convincingly complex in a world that constantly renders men’s needs and concerns as cartoonishly simple. Perry didn’t play Dylan as an emotionally unavailable cad. He played him as sweetly wounded. After all, Dylan isn’t really a loner as the series progresses. He falls in love, seeks refuge in female relationships and still throws in emotionally at every turn, even getting married in a later season. It ends tragically — how could it not? — but compared to the other rich kids on the show whose problems mostly involve not getting everything they want right away, Dylan McKay’s eternal struggle to make peace with himself and reconcile the way he’s forever sealed off from the happiness everyone else finds so easily is the closest thing the show had to a literary quality.
What makes revisiting Luke Perry’s portrayal of a ’90s Dean particularly interesting today is that it comes in an era where every facet of masculinity has been called into question and we’ve watched men shed that kind of act in exchange for a more beta version. We still see Dean’s brand of masculinity as iconic, and we can’t seem to stop romanticizing it onscreen, in part because what the character does that a real-life bad boy never can is wear those contradictions so well. If only real-life bad boys were actually that cool and interesting — and not, as we now understand them, damaged by cultural conditioning that thwarts their growth."
Requisite Twitter roundup.
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posted by oneswellfoop at 10:05 PM on March 4, 2019
posted by oneswellfoop at 10:05 PM on March 4, 2019
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posted by angelchrys at 10:12 PM on March 4, 2019
posted by angelchrys at 10:12 PM on March 4, 2019
From 90210 to Riverdale, where to stream the many sides of Luke Perry
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:17 PM on March 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:17 PM on March 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
RIP, prisoner #00C966, Jeremiah Cloutier.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:18 PM on March 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:18 PM on March 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
I mean, FFS, I never watched the show, but as a fellow 52-year-old...
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posted by computech_apolloniajames at 10:27 PM on March 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
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posted by computech_apolloniajames at 10:27 PM on March 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
I just can't with this one, ok?
God.
posted by Hermione Granger at 10:31 PM on March 4, 2019 [6 favorites]
God.
posted by Hermione Granger at 10:31 PM on March 4, 2019 [6 favorites]
Just a couple weeks ago I was looking at the IMDB page for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Tarantino's upcoming movie set amidst the Manson murders, and his name jumped out at me. I was like "Woah, where's he been?" and then of course I pictured him pulling up, taking off his motorcycle helmet and giving me a glassy stare with his name appearing in front of him. Sorry Luke. Hell of a way to make your final film appearance though.
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posted by mannequito at 10:34 PM on March 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
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posted by mannequito at 10:34 PM on March 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
Please somebody explain why his stroke was because of #reasons that are effectively unique to him and are really of no concern to anyone else. No, really, I'd appreciate it.
posted by Joe in Australia at 11:22 PM on March 4, 2019 [16 favorites]
posted by Joe in Australia at 11:22 PM on March 4, 2019 [16 favorites]
52 is an interesting year.
Feels partially complete if you take it as four books of 13: 0 - 12, 13 - 25, 26 - 38, 39 - 51
Most people get two more books though...
posted by Heywood Mogroot III at 11:23 PM on March 4, 2019 [8 favorites]
Feels partially complete if you take it as four books of 13: 0 - 12, 13 - 25, 26 - 38, 39 - 51
Most people get two more books though...
posted by Heywood Mogroot III at 11:23 PM on March 4, 2019 [8 favorites]
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This is hitting me harder than most celebrity deaths.
At least (are we allowed to say this?) he didn't suffer. It looks like he had a stroke then never regained consciousness.
posted by daybeforetheday at 11:37 PM on March 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
This is hitting me harder than most celebrity deaths.
At least (are we allowed to say this?) he didn't suffer. It looks like he had a stroke then never regained consciousness.
posted by daybeforetheday at 11:37 PM on March 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
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My family's still dealing with lingering aftereffects from a family member's non-fatal stroke, so this news hit my heart hard today. Luke Perry was going to grow old gracefully, into a still-got-it silver fox with that charming quick half-smile and his appealingly rumpled familiar face. And now he'll never grow old, and it's not fair or kind to his fans and friends and family.
I was a little too young to have watched 90210 when it first ran at night, but I still understood when I watched Clueless why Cher was saving herself for Luke Perry. Luke Perry's romantic persona was always the sweetheart bad boy who would never be bad to you.
The role I knew him first and best for was as Pike in the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie. As much as Movie Buffy has largely and rightly been overshadowed by the superior TV Buffy, it's bittersweet now to look back and realize the deep extent to which TV Buffy Summers's most iconic lovers—Byronic brooding Angel and sardonic leatherclad bad boy Spike—have always owed their romantic lead DNA to that original Luke Perry charismatic example.
posted by nicebookrack at 11:42 PM on March 4, 2019 [24 favorites]
My family's still dealing with lingering aftereffects from a family member's non-fatal stroke, so this news hit my heart hard today. Luke Perry was going to grow old gracefully, into a still-got-it silver fox with that charming quick half-smile and his appealingly rumpled familiar face. And now he'll never grow old, and it's not fair or kind to his fans and friends and family.
I was a little too young to have watched 90210 when it first ran at night, but I still understood when I watched Clueless why Cher was saving herself for Luke Perry. Luke Perry's romantic persona was always the sweetheart bad boy who would never be bad to you.
The role I knew him first and best for was as Pike in the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie. As much as Movie Buffy has largely and rightly been overshadowed by the superior TV Buffy, it's bittersweet now to look back and realize the deep extent to which TV Buffy Summers's most iconic lovers—Byronic brooding Angel and sardonic leatherclad bad boy Spike—have always owed their romantic lead DNA to that original Luke Perry charismatic example.
posted by nicebookrack at 11:42 PM on March 4, 2019 [24 favorites]
I really enjoyed his work in Jeremiah as well. If it was made today it probably would have lasted longer than two seasons.
posted by PenDevil at 12:36 AM on March 5, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by PenDevil at 12:36 AM on March 5, 2019 [6 favorites]
Luke Perry as Krusty the Clown's "worthless half-brother" as mentioned in the FPP.
posted by vacapinta at 1:08 AM on March 5, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by vacapinta at 1:08 AM on March 5, 2019 [7 favorites]
I didn't follow his projects, but my younger sister (who's now married with three kids) went through a Luke Perry phase. Which, in itself, is a memento mori.
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posted by acb at 2:02 AM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by acb at 2:02 AM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
I loved him in the film version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He leaned into the campy elements of the film and played a great damsel in distress.
What kills me about his death is that he was the same age as my dad when he died, and his kids are the same age my brother and I were when our dad died. I have so much empathy for them, and I hope they’re okay.
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posted by pxe2000 at 3:12 AM on March 5, 2019 [15 favorites]
What kills me about his death is that he was the same age as my dad when he died, and his kids are the same age my brother and I were when our dad died. I have so much empathy for them, and I hope they’re okay.
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posted by pxe2000 at 3:12 AM on March 5, 2019 [15 favorites]
I know it was rough on him in those early 90210 years, dealing with the heights of superstardom that my 19yo daughter doesn't quite understand (there were only 5-6 channels back then, dammit!).
He seemed to take a step back after 90210 and "find himself," picking roles that he wanted on his terms. Everything that I am seeing on Twitter, Instagram, etc., particularly from other actors, is that he really grew into a great, down-to-earth, solid human being.
A shame...
posted by kuanes at 4:26 AM on March 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
He seemed to take a step back after 90210 and "find himself," picking roles that he wanted on his terms. Everything that I am seeing on Twitter, Instagram, etc., particularly from other actors, is that he really grew into a great, down-to-earth, solid human being.
A shame...
posted by kuanes at 4:26 AM on March 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
Aziz, light!
posted by Slothrup at 4:43 AM on March 5, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by Slothrup at 4:43 AM on March 5, 2019 [13 favorites]
I watched 90210 a bit when it was on, but never really got invested much in it. My friends and I used to poke fun at how very cool Dylan was, and I considered LP to be just a pretty face. Then maybe 15 years ago I saw LP on Letterman, and he was funny as hell. Charming, smart, witty; he did a Stupid Human Trick of some sort. I liked him from that point, thought he should be a leading man, not just in TV (which was kind of 2nd tier until recently), but in features as well.
posted by zardoz at 4:56 AM on March 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by zardoz at 4:56 AM on March 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
52 is way too young.
posted by Dip Flash at 5:42 AM on March 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Dip Flash at 5:42 AM on March 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
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posted by allandsome at 5:49 AM on March 5, 2019
posted by allandsome at 5:49 AM on March 5, 2019
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posted by skye.dancer at 5:53 AM on March 5, 2019
posted by skye.dancer at 5:53 AM on March 5, 2019
Met him very briefly at a local sci-fi convention a few years ago. He made my autistic brother very happy by shaking his head.
Godspeed, Mr. Perry.
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posted by magstheaxe at 6:12 AM on March 5, 2019 [11 favorites]
Godspeed, Mr. Perry.
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posted by magstheaxe at 6:12 AM on March 5, 2019 [11 favorites]
This shook me more than I expected it to. But 90210 came out when I was in middle school, and it was appointment tv through my high school years. The only show that I can recall an entire class having an opinion about.
I thought that Jessica of Go Fug Yourself had a lovely tribute here (and, with GFY, the comments are always worth reading as well): I’m not sure if the younger people who read GFY truly get just how big Beverly Hills 90210 was, back in the day. There isn’t a modern equivalent. We didn’t have as much TV then as we do now, for one thing — literally everyone in my high school class watched the show, and that’s not hyperbole — but also, back in the early ’90s, there was simply not much programming about teenagers that treated them seriously. Beverly Hills, 90210 was arguably the first real teen soap — without which there would probably be no CW at all, honestly — and Dylan was its heartthrob, the perfect trope of the Sexy Bad Boy With Hidden Depths; Misunderstood With Terrible Parents, Sensitive and Thoughtful and Hot, Who Doesn’t Even Make Fun of You When You Have an Unfortunate Accident With Sun-In Leave-In Hair Dye... We thought a lot about Dylan McKay when we were young and emotionally building ourselves into people, and he’s still and forever tucked up in the corner of our hearts.
posted by TwoStride at 6:15 AM on March 5, 2019 [13 favorites]
I thought that Jessica of Go Fug Yourself had a lovely tribute here (and, with GFY, the comments are always worth reading as well): I’m not sure if the younger people who read GFY truly get just how big Beverly Hills 90210 was, back in the day. There isn’t a modern equivalent. We didn’t have as much TV then as we do now, for one thing — literally everyone in my high school class watched the show, and that’s not hyperbole — but also, back in the early ’90s, there was simply not much programming about teenagers that treated them seriously. Beverly Hills, 90210 was arguably the first real teen soap — without which there would probably be no CW at all, honestly — and Dylan was its heartthrob, the perfect trope of the Sexy Bad Boy With Hidden Depths; Misunderstood With Terrible Parents, Sensitive and Thoughtful and Hot, Who Doesn’t Even Make Fun of You When You Have an Unfortunate Accident With Sun-In Leave-In Hair Dye... We thought a lot about Dylan McKay when we were young and emotionally building ourselves into people, and he’s still and forever tucked up in the corner of our hearts.
posted by TwoStride at 6:15 AM on March 5, 2019 [13 favorites]
Let's not forget that he was also a strong supporter of unions for the creative industries.
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posted by NoxAeternum at 6:39 AM on March 5, 2019 [13 favorites]
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posted by NoxAeternum at 6:39 AM on March 5, 2019 [13 favorites]
His co-star, Gabrielle Carteris, is president of SAG-AFTRA and vice president of the California Labor Federation, so not a giant surprise that he's a union guy.
I was a little old for 90210 but I had heard from reputable sources that he was a genuinely good guy and very down to earth, which is frankly, pretty rare in this town. May his memory be a blessing.
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posted by Sophie1 at 6:55 AM on March 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
I was a little old for 90210 but I had heard from reputable sources that he was a genuinely good guy and very down to earth, which is frankly, pretty rare in this town. May his memory be a blessing.
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posted by Sophie1 at 6:55 AM on March 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
How Luke Perry’s Rodeo Movie ‘8 Seconds’ Illuminated Life Outside the 90210
Luke Perry Walked So Jordan Catalano Could Run
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:58 AM on March 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
Luke Perry Walked So Jordan Catalano Could Run
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:58 AM on March 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
RIP, Sideshow Luke Perry.
posted by ckape at 7:00 AM on March 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by ckape at 7:00 AM on March 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
I was mid-way through my twenties when 90210 began, so I only ever watched it sporadically, but for many years it was so popular that it was hard not to know about everything going on at West Beverly Hills High, whether you wanted to or not. So, Perry's death, especially, feels like hearing of the death of a high school classmate.
At the time, I fully expected to see Perry in big leading-man roles one day and I'm still a little surprised that never happened. But he seems to have had a happy enough career and to have been relatively untroubled by his fame, so cheers to him.
posted by octobersurprise at 7:04 AM on March 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
At the time, I fully expected to see Perry in big leading-man roles one day and I'm still a little surprised that never happened. But he seems to have had a happy enough career and to have been relatively untroubled by his fame, so cheers to him.
posted by octobersurprise at 7:04 AM on March 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
If you'd asked me a week ago how upset I would be if Luke Perry died, I probably would've said not very. He was on a show I watched a long time ago. I'm surprised by how very hard this has hit me. Jessica of GFY really nailed it. Everyone watched 90210. Everyone gathered in the common room in the dorm for the one-two punch of 90210 and Melrose Place. Everyone had to shut up for scenes from next week. "Scenes! Scenes! Shhhh!" And, of course, 52 seemed so far off back then and now it doesn't.
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posted by Mavri at 7:13 AM on March 5, 2019 [13 favorites]
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posted by Mavri at 7:13 AM on March 5, 2019 [13 favorites]
I was never into 90210 and didn't pay much attention to it. But when Luke showed up on the Simpsons and was game for what they wanted to do to him, well, he was clearly a good sport. Same as for when he worked the fan con circuit -- he was a decent guy, just doing his bit and making people happy.
Thanks, sport. See you around.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:34 AM on March 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
Thanks, sport. See you around.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:34 AM on March 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
"They liked to begin their mornings eating strawberries and cranking the latest Dinosaur Jr. album."That Rob Sheffield piece is a gem. (Besides giving me heavier '90s nostalgia vibes than I really need at the moment.)
"(It was both ridiculous and poignant — the ultimate 90210 combination.)
posted by octobersurprise at 7:35 AM on March 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
If you are a guy around my age who claims you didn't want to be Dylan McKay, you're a cop.
Interestingly, the kids these days know him as Archie Andrews' cool dad from Riverdale. He apparently acted like a real dad to his young co-star and will be deeply missed.
I'm also struck by the earnestness of the tributes I see from his colleagues - it sounds like he was as good a man as you can hope for.
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You're floating! Get out of here!
posted by Rock Steady at 7:43 AM on March 5, 2019 [14 favorites]
Interestingly, the kids these days know him as Archie Andrews' cool dad from Riverdale. He apparently acted like a real dad to his young co-star and will be deeply missed.
I'm also struck by the earnestness of the tributes I see from his colleagues - it sounds like he was as good a man as you can hope for.
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You're floating! Get out of here!
posted by Rock Steady at 7:43 AM on March 5, 2019 [14 favorites]
Actually, I've just remembered that some friends of mine named their son, born in '92, Dylan. I remember his dad telling me he was named after Bob Dylan while his mom assured me he was named after Dylan McKay.
posted by octobersurprise at 7:44 AM on March 5, 2019 [16 favorites]
posted by octobersurprise at 7:44 AM on March 5, 2019 [16 favorites]
Daryl Dixon owes a lot to Dylan.
Rest in peace, Luke. Too young.
posted by lazaruslong at 7:55 AM on March 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
Rest in peace, Luke. Too young.
posted by lazaruslong at 7:55 AM on March 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
Duh nuh nun nuh, duh nuh nun nuh
(. . )
posted by Chrysostom at 8:00 AM on March 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
(. . )
posted by Chrysostom at 8:00 AM on March 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
This morning I drove by the rodeo grounds here in town and suddenly remembered that I really loved 8 Seconds as a teenager.
RIP Luke Perry.
He was a big part of my teen years (Dylan and Kelly were better than Dylan and Brenda). And I've really enjoyed watching him as Archie's Dad on Riverdale.
posted by BooneTheCowboyToy at 8:03 AM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
RIP Luke Perry.
He was a big part of my teen years (Dylan and Kelly were better than Dylan and Brenda). And I've really enjoyed watching him as Archie's Dad on Riverdale.
posted by BooneTheCowboyToy at 8:03 AM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
I am 46, and 90210 was appointment watching for my cohort. It launched the fall that we entered college and ended a decade later, when many of us -- like the characters -- had moved on to other things. Those people were not my (nerdy) type, but still: we watched. (And then we watched Melrose Place, but then that got too crazy so we switched to...Party of Five, maybe?)
I am straight as a line, and yet I must admit that Luke Perry had the smoldering-est smoldering Bad Boy look on TV.
And honestly, I expected him to end up like James Garner, getting work based on his acting and looks well into his old age.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:55 AM on March 5, 2019 [6 favorites]
I am straight as a line, and yet I must admit that Luke Perry had the smoldering-est smoldering Bad Boy look on TV.
And honestly, I expected him to end up like James Garner, getting work based on his acting and looks well into his old age.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:55 AM on March 5, 2019 [6 favorites]
90210 was one year below me. The actors may have been older, but he characters were basically my age. Yikes!
posted by snofoam at 9:09 AM on March 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by snofoam at 9:09 AM on March 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 9:12 AM on March 5, 2019
posted by JoeXIII007 at 9:12 AM on March 5, 2019
It's been a long time since a piece of news made me literally gasp and cover my mouth.
I'm so incredibly saddened by this. My 15 year old daughter has been watching a lot of Riverdale the last few weeks, and I was so delighted to see him on the show.
Safe travels Luke, I'm so sorry for you, your family, friends and castmates.
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posted by BigHeartedGuy at 9:39 AM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
I'm so incredibly saddened by this. My 15 year old daughter has been watching a lot of Riverdale the last few weeks, and I was so delighted to see him on the show.
Safe travels Luke, I'm so sorry for you, your family, friends and castmates.
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posted by BigHeartedGuy at 9:39 AM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
One thing my wife and I were discussing last night is how certain actors get a little success and stop working on their craft. Perry, we agreed, was somebody who clearly took his acting seriously and you can witness genuine growth in ability over his career. He didn't want to cruise on his handsome face - he was a genuine actor as worthy of respect for what he brought to a role as any. His face gave him an early edge, but his work ethic, talent and reputation kept him working. I felt this same way when John Ritter died - we lost somebody who'd had great success and a long career but somebody who also still had decades of great work in front of them. A real tragedy.
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:08 AM on March 5, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:08 AM on March 5, 2019 [9 favorites]
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Very ironic now that the Mad parody was Beverly Hills 911
posted by brujita at 10:21 AM on March 5, 2019
Very ironic now that the Mad parody was Beverly Hills 911
posted by brujita at 10:21 AM on March 5, 2019
I was another one who faithfully watched 90210, and despite vast economic differences between us, I felt the cast was relatable. Luke as Dylan particularly caught my attention. Luke the actor, I thought, would be eternal..popping up now and again (like Riverdale), always engaging, always entertaining. This is such a sad loss.
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posted by annieb at 10:36 AM on March 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
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posted by annieb at 10:36 AM on March 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
I didn't even really watch teen soap Riverdale (and I'll be too sad to start regularly now), but I was still delighted by Luke Perry's casting as teen lead Archie's dad, and I enjoyed sharing in the glee with other fans over Luke's performances in the show. It was such a satisfying metanarrative. For sad effectively-orphaned teen bad boy Dylan McKay, the happiest imaginable ending would be to grow up to be a warm, mature Great Dad (and Hot Dad) beloved and trusted by all. And it is sweet-sad to see younger and older fans in fandom mourning both Teen Heartthrob Luke Perry and Lovable Hot Dad Luke Perry. How many people have the talent, charisma, stamina, and range to achieve pop culture idol adoration more than once for different reasons over thirty years?
posted by nicebookrack at 11:42 AM on March 5, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by nicebookrack at 11:42 AM on March 5, 2019 [7 favorites]
As a kid, I never watched 90210 — it just wasn't for me. And well, I think as a kid I'd written most of 'em off as pretty flashes in the pan, y'know. But oddly enough, it was his Simpsons appearance that first made me like him. I loved that he was in on the joke — and that, like, the Sideshow Luke Perry bit would have been mean if it were an impersonator. But the fact that it actually WAS him made it hilarious. "My face! My valuable face!!"
From then on I figured he was actually pretty cool. And as a Riverdale fan, I was always amused that Fred was pretty much the only decent parent in town.
It's lovely to hear that he was an absolute mensch, too. Pajiba just posted a nice rundown of stories. Check it out.
posted by Rev. Syung Myung Me at 12:04 PM on March 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
From then on I figured he was actually pretty cool. And as a Riverdale fan, I was always amused that Fred was pretty much the only decent parent in town.
It's lovely to hear that he was an absolute mensch, too. Pajiba just posted a nice rundown of stories. Check it out.
posted by Rev. Syung Myung Me at 12:04 PM on March 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
I love that he literally traveled with spare balloons to blow up in case he ran into any upset children.
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:26 PM on March 5, 2019 [15 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:26 PM on March 5, 2019 [15 favorites]
This one hurts in a way I didn't expect.
I loved BH90210, and loved him. When the show started, I was the same age as the characters (and then they had two junior years and graduated in '93. Boooo.) The Walsh and McKay houses, where they filmed, are in my neighborhood, and I used to ride my bike over to see if I could catch a glimpse. (Fun fact: the houses are only 4 houses apart!) I even saw that 8 Seconds movie which was way out of my interest sphere. I forgot he was in Riverdale, so at least there's something new to me that I can see him in.
This one hurts a lot more than I expected.
posted by ApathyGirl at 12:49 PM on March 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
I loved BH90210, and loved him. When the show started, I was the same age as the characters (and then they had two junior years and graduated in '93. Boooo.) The Walsh and McKay houses, where they filmed, are in my neighborhood, and I used to ride my bike over to see if I could catch a glimpse. (Fun fact: the houses are only 4 houses apart!) I even saw that 8 Seconds movie which was way out of my interest sphere. I forgot he was in Riverdale, so at least there's something new to me that I can see him in.
This one hurts a lot more than I expected.
posted by ApathyGirl at 12:49 PM on March 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
As a kid from Minnesota who relocated to the East Coast in 1990, I loved that the Walshes were also expatriates on one of America's shores.
Mind you, it was probably the only thing about them that I could relate to, but still -- we had something there.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:54 PM on March 5, 2019
Mind you, it was probably the only thing about them that I could relate to, but still -- we had something there.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:54 PM on March 5, 2019
I met some of my favorite people on a message board dedicated to BH90210 back in the 1990s. These are the people I told first about my daughter's birth and my divorce and many other life moments. We are all pretty shook by this.
posted by vespabelle at 1:00 PM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by vespabelle at 1:00 PM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
. An actor that both my daughter and I can relate to: she watched him in "Riverdale" and I watched him in "90210" and "Jeremiah" (great show; wish it hadn't been cancelled).
posted by cass at 1:20 PM on March 5, 2019
posted by cass at 1:20 PM on March 5, 2019
I love that he literally traveled with spare balloons to blow up in case he ran into any upset children.
There are two kinds of people who travel a lot and therefore run into a lot of upset children: the kinds who buy balloons and the kind who buy noise-cancelling headphones. Be a balloonist.
posted by Etrigan at 1:22 PM on March 5, 2019 [14 favorites]
There are two kinds of people who travel a lot and therefore run into a lot of upset children: the kinds who buy balloons and the kind who buy noise-cancelling headphones. Be a balloonist.
posted by Etrigan at 1:22 PM on March 5, 2019 [14 favorites]
I can't seem to find any trace of it online, but Perry hosted one of my favorite episodes of SNL ever, back in 1993. I was kinda poo-pooing him at the time, but he was game and funny enough on SNL that he won me over, and I was a fan after that.
52. Christ. I can **see** that from here.
posted by uberchet at 2:15 PM on March 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
52. Christ. I can **see** that from here.
posted by uberchet at 2:15 PM on March 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
Dylan McKay, Luke Perry, and the Formula for the Perfect Heartthrob
NYT: Luke Perry Was the First Bad Boy I Loved
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:18 PM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
NYT: Luke Perry Was the First Bad Boy I Loved
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:18 PM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
Luke Perry’s Riverdale Role Made Him a Sex Symbol All Over Again
To really understand how culturally important and lusted over Luke Perry was, look no further than coverage of his sideburns.
Luke Perry Made Being a Teenager Seem Dangerous and Safe at the Same Time
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:48 PM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
To really understand how culturally important and lusted over Luke Perry was, look no further than coverage of his sideburns.
Luke Perry Made Being a Teenager Seem Dangerous and Safe at the Same Time
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:48 PM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
While I certainly knew who Luke Perry was, I saw little of his acting -- I hated 90210 and have never seen Riverdale. But though he was someone who was barely on my media radar, the news of his tragic death hit me surprisingly hard in a "52 is way too young to die of a massive stroke" kind of way.
posted by orange swan at 4:30 PM on March 5, 2019
posted by orange swan at 4:30 PM on March 5, 2019
.
He impressed showrunner John Rogers when he guested as a con-artist psychic on Leverage. (Fourth paragraph.)
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 4:57 PM on March 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
He impressed showrunner John Rogers when he guested as a con-artist psychic on Leverage. (Fourth paragraph.)
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 4:57 PM on March 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
I was a big fan of him when I watched him in 90210 and became a great fan of his in Riverdale as well. I'd heard that he had been rushed to the hospital with a stroke a few days back but was shocked when I got the notification on my phone he had died. I didn't expect that to happen - he was too young! Just so sad, I really loved Luke Perry.
posted by triggerfinger at 6:05 PM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by triggerfinger at 6:05 PM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
52. Christ. I can **see** that from here
Welcome to the club! Step this way for your membership card & gift bag.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:10 PM on March 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
Welcome to the club! Step this way for your membership card & gift bag.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:10 PM on March 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
I cannot even begin to overstate how massive of a 90210 fan I was back in the day. Huge group gatherings every Wednesday night for the block of that and Melrose Place. The president of my fraternity and I made a huge deal out of dressing up in formal wear the night of the 90210 senior prom episode. A joke I always tell which is absolutely true: when my college first got online in the mid-90s, thus giving me access to all the information available in the world the very first thing I did was....find where I could read episode recaps of 90210 and discuss episodes with other fans. To me, there is no sexier moment in the history of television than this. I think I finally stopped watching after they graduated from college. I had bad taste but at least I know when something has Jumped the Shark.
Very heartening to read all the warm remembrances of him in the past 24 hours or so. This one may be my favorite.
posted by The Gooch at 8:27 PM on March 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
Very heartening to read all the warm remembrances of him in the past 24 hours or so. This one may be my favorite.
posted by The Gooch at 8:27 PM on March 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
Instagram post from Perry's daughter, Sophia. She's only 32, almost my age. I know we're supposed to be grownups by the time we're thirtysomething, but I definitely don't feel grownup when I think about losing my dad like this.
posted by nicebookrack at 11:03 PM on March 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by nicebookrack at 11:03 PM on March 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
Luke Perry’s Career-Long Act of Generosity
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:30 PM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:30 PM on March 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 6:50 AM on March 6, 2019
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 6:50 AM on March 6, 2019
It sounds like he was a good guy.
It could just be mostly shitty genetic luck, it could be something else, but I've been wondering lately about how many people in Hollywood still smoke cigarettes. At a time when smoking is at a low nationally, you still see candid photos of actors secretly smoking. It makes sense: a life style where you're always sort of compelled to socialize with strangers and you're required to stay super skinny, and for some, you have spare income to burn. Smoking (aside from genetics) is the biggest risk factor for stroke. Just kind of wondering about this.
posted by latkes at 6:54 AM on March 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
It could just be mostly shitty genetic luck, it could be something else, but I've been wondering lately about how many people in Hollywood still smoke cigarettes. At a time when smoking is at a low nationally, you still see candid photos of actors secretly smoking. It makes sense: a life style where you're always sort of compelled to socialize with strangers and you're required to stay super skinny, and for some, you have spare income to burn. Smoking (aside from genetics) is the biggest risk factor for stroke. Just kind of wondering about this.
posted by latkes at 6:54 AM on March 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
Never much cared for his soap opera roles, BUT
he did one of the most memorable episodes for a really great horror anthology show called "Night Visions", he played a spirtual / psych doctor who helped troubled kids.
If you want to know how great this show was, the host was Henry Rollins.
It's on Youtube.
IMDB Entry in case the youtube link disappeares.
posted by lkc at 1:30 PM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
he did one of the most memorable episodes for a really great horror anthology show called "Night Visions", he played a spirtual / psych doctor who helped troubled kids.
If you want to know how great this show was, the host was Henry Rollins.
It's on Youtube.
IMDB Entry in case the youtube link disappeares.
posted by lkc at 1:30 PM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
I was never a big fan of 90210 but he won me over in the Buffy movie and his other Not Your Stereotypical Heartthrob roles. 52 is much too young.
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posted by camyram at 3:49 PM on March 6, 2019
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posted by camyram at 3:49 PM on March 6, 2019
In 1991 I was one of a few thousand young women who rioted at a mall near Seattle and necessitated him being snuck out in a laundry hamper. This is not at all in character for me, and I'm sure it was awful for him, but I must say it was fun totally giving in to being a fan.
posted by The corpse in the library at 4:55 PM on March 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by The corpse in the library at 4:55 PM on March 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
In a laundry hamper? That's like the second most clichéd form of escape, second only to disguising oneself as a washerwoman.
posted by Joe in Australia at 5:20 PM on March 6, 2019
posted by Joe in Australia at 5:20 PM on March 6, 2019
And what's a laundry hamper doing in a mall, anyway? But that's the story as it was reported, unless there's some other kind of hamper a man would fit in.
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:26 PM on March 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:26 PM on March 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
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I always appreciated that his hair was less obnoxious than Jason Priestly’s.
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posted by Melismata at 10:03 PM on March 4, 2019 [2 favorites]