Dean Cain is one of the many stars sharing memories ofLuke PerryaftertheRiverdaleactor died of a severe stroke.
On Tuesday, Cain, 52, visitedToday‘s fourth hour wherehe opened up to Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Giffordabout his friendship with Perry, whom he called “a sweetheart of a man.”
The two met back in the 1990s, during Cain’s brief run onBeverly Hills, 90210.He was playing Rick, the nice guy Shannen Doherty’s Brenda dated after her tense breakup with Perry’s bad boy Dylan. But though their characters were rivals, Perry couldn’t have been nicer to Cain on the set.
“I’d done three or four episodes already, and I was only working with Shannen, but then I had the chance to meet the rest of the cast,” Cain recalled onToday.“The first day I got there, I hadn’t met everybody and it’s sort of territorial. But he came marching right up to me and said, ‘Hey, Dean. I’m Luke, nice to meet you, it’s a pleasure. Thank you. You’re doing such great work on the show, thanks for being on the show.’ ”
“I felt so welcomed and part of the crew that I started doing that when I had my own show,” theLouis & Clarkalum added. “I made sure that every single time that I had a costar come on, I went and knocked on the trailer and said, ‘Hello, thank you so much for being here.’ It’s something I learned from him.”
Tara Ziemba/Getty; Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Cain, who called Perry “a great friend,” said that the actor’s kindness carried “all the way through.”
And even after his death, Perry still found a way to teach Cain.
“We’re the same age,” Cain said onToday. “It makes you really think about it. I certainly told my son I loved him more times than I normally do [last night] — which is a lot anyway. It really makes you think.”
“God bless his family,” Cain continued. “I hope they’re going to be okay.”
Luke Perry.Snap/REX/Shutterstock
Perry was hospitalized on Feb. 27 after suffering a stroke and paramedics were dispatched to his home in Sherman Oaks, California. A source told PEOPLE henever regained consciousness.
The actor remained under observation for five days, but died on Monday, March 4, at the age of 52.
“Actor Luke Perry, 52, passed away today after suffering a massive stroke,” read a statement from Perry’s rep.
Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic
Tori Spelling, 45, shared similar sentiments in her exclusive statement to PEOPLE.“I’m in utter shock and heartbroken,” she wrote. “I’m saddened for his kids whom he adored beyond words. He was so proud of Jack and Sophie. Luke was one of the kindest and most humble human beings I’ve ever known. I’m grateful for the years of friendship we had. He truly was family to me, a protector and a brother. I’m so sorry for the loss that everyone is experiencing.”
Beverly Hills, 90210.Mikel Roberts/Sygma/Getty
Jennie Garth, 46, also released an exclusive statement to PEOPLE: “My heart is broken. He meant so much to so many. Such a very special person. I share my deep sadness with his family and all who loved him. Such a terrible loss.”
In lieu of flowers, the Perry family asks that donations be made toFight Colorectal Cancerthis link opens in a new tabandSt. Jude’s Children’s Hospitalthis link opens in a new tab.
source: people.com
