Shannen Doherty was hopeful that her former Beverly Hills, 90210 costar Luke Perry would make a full recovery after his stroke, but he tragically died on Monday, March 4.
“I will not talk about how he’s doing because it’s between the two of us, but I love him,” Doherty, 47, told Us Weekly exclusively through tears at the Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation Compassion Project Gala in Culver City, California, on Sunday, March 3, one day before Perry’s passing. “He’s going to be great.”
Us confirmed that Perry suffered a massive stroke at his home in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles on the morning of Wednesday, February 27. It was initially thought that Perry was placed into a medically induced coma upon arriving to the hospital, but his rep told Us that those reports were “not true.”
Less than a week later, the Body of Proof actor’s rep told Us that Perry succumbed to his ailment and died in a local hospital at age 52. A spokesman from the Los Angeles Fire Department told Us that the Oz alum was taken to the hospital via ambulance after paramedics received a 911 call at around 9:40 a.m.
“[Perry] was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancé Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife [Rachel] “Minnie” Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, stepfather Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder and other close family and friends,” his rep said in a statement to Us. “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.”
Many of the Ohio native’s former Beverly Hills, 90210 costars penned sweet letters to the actor in the wake of his stoke. The Charmed alum posted a throwback pic on Thursday, February 28, that showed the Riverdale actor embracing her from their days as couple Brenda Walsh and Dylan McKay on the hit FOX show.
“My friend,” Doherty captioned the sweet Instagram photo. “Holding you tight and giving you my strength. You got this.”
Ian Ziering, who played Steve Sanders on the ’90s drama series, also sent his well-wishes to Perry on social media. He noted on Instagram: “No words can express what my heart feels hearing today’s shocking news. Let us all say a prayer for his speedy recovery.”
With reporting by Amanda Champagne
