Luke Perryis best known for playing West Beverly Hills High’s bad boy, theseductive, brooding Dylan McKayonBeverly Hills, 90210— but those closest to him remember him first and foremost as a devoted dad.
Speaking to PEOPLE in this week’s issue, friends say Perry — whodiedMonday at 52, five days aftersuffering a massive stroke— considered his best role to be that of father. The late actor shared sonJack, 21, and daughterSophie, 18, with ex-wife Rachel “Minnie” Sharp.
“He was very protective of his family,” one source says. “As soon as he became a dad, that was it. It didn’t matter that he was a huge star onBeverly Hills, 90210, or what came after. He always knew what was important.”
“He didn’t care about being famous or being a ‘celebrity,'” the source adds. “He was a good person, he cared about the people he loved, and when he smiled at you, it felt like the best thing in the world.”
Luke Perry with son Jack and daughter Sophie.
A second source remembers the late actor as “a super great, very hands-on dad.”
“He was always attending his kids’ school and after-school functions when they were younger,” the source says. “He loved just hanging out with them and being present. He was so proud of everything they accomplished.”
Perry’s pride in his children continued as they grew older, with Sophie embarking on community building with One World Center in Malawi, and Jack pursuing a career as a pro wrestler. (Perry was known to film his son from the stands during matches.)
Luke Perry and his children.Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
Shannen Doherty, who, as Brenda Walsh, was one half of a supercouple with Perry’s Dylan McKay on90210, says her costar’s children werehis pride and joy.
“Luke loved his family,” says Doherty, 47. “He raved about his kids and how proud he was of them. He showed me videos of them often. They were his heart and for him, his biggest accomplishment.”
Another member of Perry’s90210family,Tori Spelling, says he “adored his kids beyond words.”
“Luke wasone of the kindest and most humble human beingsI’ve ever known,” she says. “He was so proud of Jack and Sophie.”
PEOPLE confirmed that Sophierushed home to Los Angeles from Africaas soon as she heard about her father’s condition. Per her Instagram, she’d been in Malawi for the last month.
She broke her silence about his death on Tuesday alongside a photo with her father on Instagram.
“A lot has happened in this past week for me,” she wrote. “Everything is happening so fast. I made it back from Malawi just in time to be here with my family, And in the past 24 hours I have received an overwhelming amount of love and support.”
“I cannot individually respond to the hundreds of beautiful and heartfelt messages, but I see them, and appreciate you all for sending positivity to my family and I,” she continued. “I’m not really sure what to say or do in this situation, it’s something you aren’t ever given a lesson on how to handle, especially when it’s all happening in the public eye. So bear with me and know that I am grateful for all the love. Just, being grateful quietly.”
In lieu of flowers, the Perry family asks that donations be made toFight Colorectal CancerandSt. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Christina Dugan Ramirez
source: people.com
