Tori Spelling pays tribute to late Beverly Hills 90210 co-star Luke Perry with sweet throwback snap to mark his 57th birthday: ‘Missing you always’
Tori Spelling paid tribute to her late Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Luke Perry on his 57th birthday on Wednesday.
The actress, 50, who played Donna Martin alongside Perry’s Dylan McKay in the iconic 90s series, shared a sweet snap of the pair dancing together at a party – four years after Perry’s tragic death aged 52 from a massive stroke.
She captioned the snap: “There could be a million people in the room but he always made you feel like you were the only one.
“Good people are a rare breed. I don’t know that much, unfortunately. There was one. Happy Birthday. I always miss you.’
The clip showed Tori in a white mini dress as she smiled at Perry who showed off his dance moves.
Tragic loss: Tori Spelling paid tribute to her late Beverly Hills 90210 co-star Luke Perry on his 57th birthday on Wednesday
In 2021, the actress specifically recalled an instance when the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor “stood up fiercely for me” when he intervened on her behalf during an argument with a “verbally abusive” ex.
‘I missed you so much. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you,” she wrote.
The actress went on to talk about her early days in the entertainment industry and noted that Perry set himself apart from many of his co-stars by treating her with respect on and off set.
“I remember meeting you as a young insecure teenager. You were the first boy who ever made me feel valuable as a human, a woman and a comedian,” she recalls.
Spelling then described an incident where her late friend defended her against one of her former partners who had made a habit of harassing her during their time together.
She noted that Perry ‘went to fight literally for me when I was in a verbally abusive relationship and sat and talked me through the most insecure moments of a teenage girl’s life.’
The performer has previously been romantically linked to the likes of Julian Lennon, Nick Savalas and her former co-star Brian Austin Green.
The actress went out of her way to detail Perry’s endearing qualities and praise his kind nature.
Roles: The actress, 50, played Donna Martin alongside Perry’s Dylan McKay in the iconic 90s series
Not Forgotten: In 2021, the actress specifically recalled an instance when the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor “stood up fiercely for me” when he intervened on her behalf during an argument with a “verbally abusive” ex
Support: She also recalled that Perry once ‘talked me through the most insecure moments of a teenage life’ after taking her side during an argument; seen with Jason Priestley and Jenny Garth in 2005
“You had a way of making every person feel confident, heard and special the moment they met you.” Your energy was pure selfless love. Giver in this infinite life. Your kind nature carried over decades,’ she wrote.
Spelling also noted that she “loved getting texts and calls asking about my kids and always ending with ‘Uncle Luke loves them.’
The performer went on to describe Perry’s parenting skills and how the late actor was very dedicated to the well-being of his children.
‘As a parent you defined the hands. Always putting Jack and Sophie first. He liked to show pictures of Jack wrestling and handbags and pieces that Sophie designed and made. “Always saying you and Soph could do it together,” she remarked.
The Scary Movie 2 actress then spoke about how she missed spending more time with her late friend in a professional and informal setting.
‘I have 2 regrets. We never had that Taco Tuesday family night at your house {I heard your tacos are the best} and I couldn’t live up to your vision and dream of our cast making that horror movie you were so passionate about making with them” , she remarked.
Spelling concluded her message by saying that Perry was loved by those who knew him and that his performances will be watched years after his death.
“Today and every day we all miss you and hold you in our hearts.” Everyone does it. You’ve made quite an impression on this real-life Lukei,” she remarked.
Perry on March 4, 2019, just five days after being hospitalized following a massive stroke.
The Beverly Hills 90210 star was rushed to a California hospital from her home in Sherman Oaks, where she remained until her death.
The actor is survived by his son Jack (25) and daughter Sophie (22) from his marriage to ex-wife Rachel Minnie Sharp.
“He was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiance Wendy Madison Bower, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Anne Bennett, stepfather Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder and other close family and friends,” the actor’s publicist said in a statement.
Perry got his start in 10 episodes of the popular soap opera Another World, but rose to fame in the early 1990s thanks to his role on 90210.
Then and Now: Perry filmed 199 episodes of 90210 (left) and was one of the stars of the CV series Riverdale (right with Lili Reinhart) when he passed away
That show ran for 10 seasons starting in 1990 and still lives on in reruns, with Perry recording 199 episodes.
He played the show’s leading man, handsome loner Dylan McKay, alongside co-stars Jenny Garth, Jason Priestley and Tori Spelling.
At the same time, he also appeared in a number of films, including the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Fifth Element and Scorchers.
He was also an accomplished actor, recording episodes for animated series including Mortal Kombat, The Simpsons, Johnny Bravo, The Incredible Hulk and others.
After 90210, he appeared in a number of TV shows, including Oz, Windfall, and John From Cincinnati, but none reached the heights of 90210.
He starred in the CV series Riverdale until his death, and recently filmed a role in Quentin Tarantino’s latest film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood alongside Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie.