Tiffani Thiessen finally broke her silence three days after Luke Perry’s death, honoring her “Beverly Hills 90210” co-star with a touching post on Instagram.
“My heart has been weighing heavy,” Thiessen wrote, alongside a photo of her and Perry.
“The loss of a man who started as my co-star but quickly became my friend. He welcomed me on my very first day of #90210 with open arms,” she wrote.
“A day that was not an easy one for me. I was coming in to a show, a family really, that had been together for over 4 years. But this man took me under his wing and made me feel at home. Made me feel like I belonged in his TV family,” she continued.
Thiessen joined the cast of Beverly Hills 90210 in season 5, playing the character of Valerie Malone, a master manipulator who pursues Perry’s brooding Dylan McKay after his girlfriend Brenda Walsh (Shannon Doherty) left the series.
“He was sincere, sweet, warm, kind, professional, and funny as all heck. And most of all, the definition of a gentleman. Luke, our world has a hole in it now that you aren’t here. But heaven definitely gained you as an angel. #RIP #LukePerry #gonetoosoon,” she ended.
Luke Perry, star of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” died on March 4 days after he suffered a stroke.
The actor died at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank, California, his representative told several news outlets.
“I am in shock. Heartbroken. Devastated by the loss of my friend. I have so many memories with Luke that make me smile and that are forever imprinted on my heart and mind,” fellow co-star Shannen Doherty, 47, told People magazine.
Shannen Doherty Says Luke Perry’s ‘Biggest Accomplishment’ Was His Children: ‘They Were His Heart’ https://t.co/YMJIvCgKml
— People (@people) March 5, 2019
Jason Priestley, who played Brandon Walsh on the show, spoke out about Perry’s death on March 7.
“It’s taken me a couple of days to figure out how to write this,” Priestley wrote on Instagram, alongside two photos of the pair. “My dear friend of 29 years, Luke Perry, was one of those truly special people who really cared.”
“Luke was not only a star, he was an incredibly bright light that was extinguished far too soon,” he continued. “And that is why I, and so many others, are in so much pain today… If you had the good fortune to know Luke, or to have ever crossed his path, I know you are sad today as well… the candle that burns twice as bright only burns for half as long… you burned oh, so brightly Luke… Goodnight Sweet Prince.”
Other cast members on 90210 have paid tribute to the late actor, who was hospitalized a week ago after suffering a stroke before his death.
Ian Ziering was the first star on 90210 to issue a statement.
He wrote on Twitter: “Dearest Luke, I will forever bask in the loving memories we’ve shared over the last thirty years. May your journey forward be enriched by the magnificent souls who have passed before you, just like you have done here, for those you leave behind.”
Dearest Luke,
I will forever bask in the loving memories we’ve shared over the last thirty years. May your journey forward be enriched by the magnificent souls who have passed before you, just like you have done here, for those you leave behind.— Ian Ziering (@IanZiering) March 4, 2019
