Luke Perry was an American actor best known for his role as Dylan McKay in the TV series "Beverly Hills, 90210". A teen idol in the 1990s, he remained active in television until his death in 2019, notably appearing in "Riverdale" as Fred Andrews. Perry also had roles in films like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood", his final film. He contributed voice work to animated series and had guest appearances in various popular TV shows.
October 11, 1966: Birth of Luke Perry
Luke Perry was born on October 11, 1966, in Mansfield, Ohio. He was the second of three children to Ann Perry, a homemaker, and Coy Luther Perry Jr., a steelworker.
1972: Parents' Divorce
Luke Perry's parents divorced in 1972 when he was a young child.
1980: Father's Death
In 1980, Luke Perry's father passed away due to a heart attack.
1984: Move to Los Angeles
In 1984, shortly after high school, Luke Perry moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.
1985: Music Video Appearance
Luke Perry appeared in the 1985 music video of "Be Chrool to Your Scuel" for the band Twisted Sister.
1987: Daytime Soap Operas
Luke Perry's earliest roles were on daytime soap operas, including one episode of Loving (1987–1988).
1988: First Acting Job
In 1988, after auditioning for 256 acting jobs, Luke Perry received his first acceptance.
1989: Another World
Luke Perry appeared in ten episodes of the daytime soap opera Another World (1988–1989).
1990: Debut in Beverly Hills, 90210
In 1990, Luke Perry began his iconic role as Dylan McKay on the Fox television series Beverly Hills, 90210, making him a teen idol.
August 1991: Autograph Session Riot
In August 1991, a riot broke out when 10,000 teen girls attended an autograph session with Luke Perry, causing him to leave after 90 seconds.
1992: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Film
Luke Perry starred in the original film version of Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 1992.
1992: Role in Riot
Luke Perry starred in the drama Riot, a film about the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
1992: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Terminal Bliss
In 1992, Luke Perry had supporting roles in the original film version of Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer and starred in Terminal Bliss.
November 20, 1993: Luke Perry Marries Rachel Minnie Sharp
On November 20, 1993, Luke Perry married Rachel Minnie Sharp in Beverly Hills.
1993: Voice Role in The Simpsons
In 1993, Luke Perry played himself as Krusty the Clown's half brother in "Krusty Gets Kancelled", an episode of The Simpsons.
1994: 8 Seconds Release
In 1994, Luke Perry portrayed Lane Frost in the biographical drama film 8 Seconds.
1994: Release of 8 Seconds
In 1994, Luke Perry starred as Lane Frost in the biographical drama film 8 Seconds.
1995: Departure from Beverly Hills, 90210
In 1995, Luke Perry decided to leave Beverly Hills, 90210 in an attempt to find more mature roles, though he returned to the show in 1998.
1995: Left Beverly Hills, 90210
In 1995, Luke Perry left Beverly Hills, 90210 in an attempt to find more mature roles, though he returned to the show three years later.
1995: Luke Perry Purchases Home in Tennessee
In 1995, Luke Perry purchased a home in VanLeer, Tennessee.
1996: Voice Role in The Incredible Hulk
Luke Perry voiced the character Rick Jones in the Marvel Comics' animated series The Incredible Hulk from 1996 to 1997.
June 16, 1997: Birth of Jack Perry
On June 16, 1997, Luke Perry and Rachel Minnie Sharp's son, Jack Perry, was born.
1997: Guest Starred in Spin City
In 1997, Luke Perry guest-starred as a gay character in the sitcom Spin City.
1997: Role in The Fifth Element
In 1997, Luke Perry had a small role in Luc Besson's science fiction adventure film The Fifth Element.
1997: The Fifth Element Release
In 1997, Luke Perry had a small role in Luc Besson's science fiction adventure film The Fifth Element.
1998: Return to Beverly Hills, 90210
Luke Perry returned to Beverly Hills, 90210 in 1998 after a three-year absence, remaining as a permanent special guest star until the final season in 2000.
1998: Return to Beverly Hills, 90210
Luke Perry returned to Beverly Hills, 90210 in 1998 after a three-year absence, remaining as a permanent special guest star until the final season in 2000.
1999: Starred in Storm
In 1999, Luke Perry starred in the film Storm.
June 7, 2000: Birth of Sophie Perry
On June 7, 2000, Luke Perry and Rachel Minnie Sharp's daughter, Sophie Perry, was born.
2000: Final Season of Beverly Hills, 90210
The final season of Beverly Hills, 90210 aired in 2000, marking the end of Luke Perry's role as Dylan McKay on the iconic series.
2000: Final Season of Beverly Hills, 90210
The final season of Beverly Hills, 90210 aired in 2000, marking the end of Luke Perry's role as Dylan McKay on the iconic series.
2001: Role in HBO's Oz
From 2001 to 2002, Luke Perry starred as Reverend Jeremiah Cloutier in the HBO prison drama Oz.
2001: Broadway Revival of The Rocky Horror Show
In 2001, Luke Perry appeared on Broadway in a revival of The Rocky Horror Show, playing Brad Majors.
2002: Starred in Jeremiah
From 2002 to 2004, Luke Perry starred in the post-apocalyptic television series Jeremiah.
2003: Luke Perry and Rachel Minnie Sharp Separate
In 2003, Luke Perry and Rachel Minnie Sharp separated.
2004: London Production of When Harry Met Sally
In 2004, Luke Perry appeared in the London production of When Harry Met Sally as Harry, alongside Alyson Hannigan as Sally.
2004: End of Jeremiah
The television series Jeremiah, starring Luke Perry, ended in 2004.
2005: Guest Starred in Will & Grace
In 2005, Luke Perry guest-starred as a birdwatcher in the sitcom Will & Grace.
2006: Windfall Series
In 2006, Luke Perry co-starred in the ensemble drama series Windfall, which ran for 13 episodes during the summer on NBC.
2007: Role in The Sandlot: Heading Home
In 2007, Luke Perry landed the role of Tommy "Santa" Santorelli in the film The Sandlot: Heading Home and appeared in the HBO series John from Cincinnati.
2008: Did Not Reprise Role in 90210 Spin-off
In 2008, Luke Perry did not reprise his role as Dylan McKay in the Beverly Hills, 90210 spin-off, citing the absence of longtime producer Aaron Spelling as a critical factor.
2008: Guest Starred in Law & Order: SVU
In 2008, Luke Perry guest-starred as rapist Noah Sibert in the season premiere of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
2008: A Gunfighter's Pledge
Luke Perry appeared in the 2008 western film A Gunfighter's Pledge.
2009: The Killers' Music Video
In late 2009, Luke Perry starred in The Killers' music video for their fourth annual Christmas single, "¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe!".
2009: Swedish Film Äntligen Midsommar
Luke Perry starred in the Swedish film Äntligen Midsommar (Finally Midsummer), which was released in the summer of 2009.
2010: Leverage Appearance
Luke Perry played a con man/psychic in a second-season episode of Leverage in 2010.
2013: Community Appearance
In 2013, Luke Perry appeared as the American version of Inspector Spacetime in an episode of Community titled "Conventions of Space and Time".
2015: Luke Perry Diagnosed with Pre-Cancerous Growths
In 2015, Luke Perry underwent a colonoscopy that revealed pre-cancerous growths, leading him to become an advocate for colorectal cancer testing. He also created a will naming his children as sole beneficiaries.
2016: The Beat Beneath My Feet
Luke Perry starred in the film The Beat Beneath My Feet, which was released in 2016.
2017: Role in Riverdale
From 2017 until his death in 2019, Luke Perry starred as Fred Andrews on the CW series Riverdale.
February 27, 2019: Luke Perry Suffers Stroke
On February 27, 2019, Luke Perry suffered a massive ischemic stroke at his home in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles.
March 4, 2019: Death of Luke Perry
Luke Perry passed away on March 4, 2019. He was well-known for his roles in television series like Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale.