Beverly Hills, 90210may have gone off the air nearly two decades ago, but the cast was as close as ever in the weeks leading up toLuke Perry‘s untimely death.
Just one week before his death, Perry texted withTori Spellingand talked toJennie Garth. He sent Garth a photo of his 18-year-old daughter Sophie, who hadrecently embarked on a volunteer trip to Malawi.
While neither Spelling nor Garth could ever have imagined that would be the last time they spoke to their friend, the conversation was a fitting example of who Perry was.
“He adored his kids beyond words,” says Spelling, 45, in this week’s cover story, on stands Friday. “Luke was one of the kindest and most humble human beings I’ve ever known.”
Beverly Hills, 90210.Snap/REX/Shutterstock
Another90210costar,Shannen Doherty, also recalls seeing the sweetly devoted side of the actor during a lunch date in February.
“He chose the restaurant based on who would allow his dog,” says Doherty, 47. “I walked in and there he was, smiling, with his dog Penny and her bed under the booth, happy as can be.”
Perry famously starred as Dylan McKay on the iconic television series. (He appeared from 1990-95 and again in 1998 until 2000.)
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.”
“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,” his rep told PEOPLE in a statement. “No further details will be released at this time.”
Perry suffered a stroke Feb. 27, and a source toldPEOPLEhe never regained consciousness.
“God, please give [Luke] a seat close to you,” close friend and90210costar Ian Ziering wrote in a tribute to his friend. “He deserves it.”
In lieu of flowers, the Perry family ask that donations be made toFight Colorectal Cancerand St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Jodi Guglielmi
source: people.com
