Luke Perry’s Friends Remember Him as a Devoted Father: ‘He Couldn’t Stop Talking About His Kids’
Luke Perry’s legacy extends far beyond Hollywood.
The CW’s new documentary I Am Luke Perry celebrates the life of the Beverly Hills, 90210 star, who passed away from a massive stroke in 2019 at age 52. Those closest to him reflect on his most cherished role—being a father to his children, Jack, 27, and Sophie, 24, whom he shared with ex-wife Rachel “Minnie” Sharp.
“When Luke and Minnie had Jack, I could tell it affected him deeply,” Perry’s longtime friend and 90210 co-star Jason Priestley shares in the documentary. “He felt the weight of being a parent like we all do. He couldn’t have been happier—I think he wanted to be a dad for a long time.”
Even as his acting career flourished, Perry prioritized his family. “He made choices in his career to be closer to them,” says Margaret Waller, author of A Good Bad Boy: Luke Perry and How a Generation Grew Up. “He wouldn’t take certain jobs because they would take him too far away from his kids. Being present in their lives meant everything to him.”
His devotion was evident to those around him. Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star Kristy Swanson recalls, “I remember his kids being very little, and he’d always show you pictures. He couldn’t stop talking about them. They were his pride and joy.”
Perry’s friend, restaurateur Chris Barish, adds, “He was so proud of being a dad. He had a soft way about him—he just loved being around kids.”
Jack, now a professional wrestler, told PEOPLE in 2023 that his father was “always super supportive.” He shared, “My parents let me figure out my own path. They never pressured me into anything.”
Two months after Perry’s passing, Jack reflected on his father’s lasting influence. “My dad taught me to be as nice as you can to everyone,” he said. “He grew up with not a lot of money, but he never lost touch with who he was. Above everything else, he was just a really good guy.”
I Am Luke Perry is now streaming on the CW website.