Update: Riverdale halts production in the wake of Luke Perry’s passing

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Update: Following Luke Perry's passing, The CW's RIVERDALE has shut down production for the day.

Alongside the production postponement, the series' executive producers Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Jon Goldwater have released the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened to learn today about the passing of Luke Perry. A beloved member of the Riverdale, Warner Bros. and CW family, Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all. A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness. Our thoughts are with Luke’s family during this most difficult time.”

Original Article:

It is with a heavy heart that we report on the death of Luke Perry. The RIVERDALE and BEVERLY HILLS 90210 alum passed away today after suffering a massive stroke. He was 52 years young.

The following statement was released on behalf of Perry family:

"He was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancé Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, step-father Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends. 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.”

Reports of Perry having been hospitalized for stroke-related complications had surfaced this past Wednesday, and unfortunately, strokes are known to recur in patients who suffer them. Truth be told, my own father died at the cost of a second stroke, nearly two years after the first had left him paralyzed on the right side of his body. You'll have to pardon me if this story hits very close to home.

Before being hospitalized, Perry starred as Archie’s dad, Fred Andrews, on the CW’s RIVERDALE. Before that, Perry graced the covers of Tiger Beat-related publications of the '90s everywhere as Dylan McCay, a teen hearthrob featured on BEVERLY HILLS 90210. Fans of science fiction may recall Perry's role as Pike in Joss Whedon's BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, or perhaps his part as Billy, the good-natured sketch artist in Luc Besson's THE FIFTH ELEMENT. "Aziz, light!"

We here at JoBlo would like to express out most sincere condolences to Perry's family, friends, and fans. He will be sorely missed, and we wish him safe travels to the Great Hereafter.