Luke Perry, best-known for his role as Dylan McKay on the hit Fox series “Beverly Hills, 92010” in the 1990s has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, according to various reports Thursday.
According to tmz.com, the 52-year-old suffered “a massive stroke” and was taken to a hospital early Wednesday after paramedics responded to a call for “medical assistance” at his Sherman Oaks, Calif. home. The actor, who currently stars on the CW series “Riverdale,” is in the hospital under observation, according to a statement from his publicist to the Associated Press.
The news comes just one day after Fox announced a “90210” reunion series set for the summer, featuring his “90210” co-stars Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth, Ian Ziering, Gabrielle Carteris, Brian Austin Green, and Tori Spelling. Perry was not announced as returning for the series event.
His representative, Arnold Robinson, confirmed that “Perry is under observation at the hospital” but would not confirm the reason for his hospitalization. He has since denied a TMZ story reporting the actor has been placed in a medically induced coma, telling the gossip site and The Hollywood Reporter that he’s merely sedated.
Born and raised in rural Fredericktown, Ohio, Perry was tapped for heartthrob status along with Jason Priestley on “Beverly Hills 90210,” which ran from 1990 to 2000. Perry was one of the early breakout stars from “90210” thanks to his role as McKay, a latter-day James Dean type. In an attempt to escape typecasting after “90210” ended, Perry sought out roles as different as possible, including playing a preacher in the HBO prison drama “Oz” in episodes from 2001 and 2002.
Ziering shared an Instagram photo of himself laying a smooch on Perry’s cheek and wrote, “No words can express what my heart feels hearing today’s shocking news. Let us all say a prayer for his speedy recovery.”
Shannen Doherty, whose character dated Perry’s and who is also not taking part in the reboot, posted an iconic photo of Brenda and Dylan on prom night.
“My friend. Holding you tight and giving you my strength. You got this,” wrote Doherty, who has recently come through a battle with breast cancer.
Contributing: Associated Press
