R.I.P. Luke Perry

“Beverly Hills, 90210” – undoubtedly my favorite show of all time because of the impact at that time of my life – launched when I was 11 – my oldest daughter’s age today. In junior high, if you hadn’t seen last night’s 90210, you weren’t in the conversation. My parents wanted to screen the show when they found out I was starting to watch it, and of course the one episode they watched, Emily Valentine slipped Brandon drugs and so this show was deemed inappropriate… so I would sneak-watch it. I’d have it on and change the channel when I heard them coming (though I’m sure they knew all along, since you could see the number displayed on the screen when a channel change had occurred).

I grew up with 90210, watching it in junior high, high school and college – my most impressionable years. I aged from 11 to 21 during its run.

For me, Dylan McKay was the show. He was so cool. Every guy was intimidated by him and wanted to be him, and every girl wanted him. He had some close friends, was worldly but was the loner – the badboy. He had a very intentional James Bond vibe but also a beat poet affinity (he procured a Walter PPK when he got held up, his wife got gunned down in his convertible 007-style, but he longed to travel the open road and write the great American screenplay). Luke Perry infused life and relatability to this guy who struggled with all kinds of stuff through many rises and falls and family issues and love lost.

I watched 90210 until November 1995 when Dylan McKay drove his motorcycle off into the sunset. Luke Perry was in “Fifth Element” with a brief cameo, made tremendous Lane Frost biopic “8 Seconds” but later – after the film career never exploded – returned to 90210 (and I started watching again). I’ve loved few characters on screen more than Dylan McKay.

Luke Perry has died at 52 years old – far too young. He was able to do some passion projects along the way and certainly leaves a legacy. Can’t believe he’s gone, all while “90210” is slated to return for a third go-around this summer. Clearly, he was well-respected as a person by those in his trade based on the outpouring of love from Hollywood. Prayers for his family and loved ones. R.I.P. Luke Perry.