Jason Priestly Breaks Silence After Luke Perry’s Death: ‘So Much Pain’

Jason Priestly Breaks Silence After Luke Perry’s Death: ‘So Much Pain’
Actor Luke Perry passed away in early March 2019. (Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images)
Jack Phillips
3/7/2019
Updated:
3/7/2019

Jason Priestly, who appeared alongside Luke Perry on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” has issued a statement after Perry died earlier this week.

Priestley, 49, played Brandon Walsh on the 1990s teen show, and his character was a friend of Perry’s character, Dylan McKay.

Priestly on March 7 posted an Instagram photo of the two when they appeared on the show.

“It’s taken me a couple of days to figure out how to write this,” Priestley wrote. “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… 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,” Priestley continued. “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,” which aired from 1990 until 2000 on Fox, 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.”

“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 star Shannen Doherty, 47, told People magazine.

Doherty’s character on the show was the love interest of Perry’s character on the popular show.

“Luke was a smart, quiet, humble and complex man with a heart of gold and never-ending well of integrity and love. Luke reached out to me during my cancer journey and we picked right back up, albeit older and wiser, but that connection remained in tact,” she added.

The actress, 47, was diagnosed with breast cancer and is in remission.

“There is a special kind of love one has for each other when you are experiencing the journey we did on ‘90210’ and of course life in general. Luke and I were working on show ideas for us. We wanted to work with each other again and create something special and meaningful for our fans at this stage in our lives,” Doherty added. “I will miss him every day. Every minute. Every second.”

Tori Spelling, 45, who also appeared on “90210,” issued a statement about Perry’s passing.

“I’m saddened for his kids whom he adored beyond words. He was so proud of Jack and Sophie,” she said to People. “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.”
Actor Luke Perry attends the world premiere of Touchstone Pictures' film "Open Range" at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, Calif., on Aug. 11, 2003. (Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)
Actor Luke Perry attends the world premiere of Touchstone Pictures' film "Open Range" at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, Calif., on Aug. 11, 2003. (Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)

Celebrities Lost So Far in 2019

Peter Tork

Peter Tork of the Monkees passed away at 77 in February 2019. (Getty Images | Noel Vasquez)
Peter Tork of the Monkees passed away at 77 in February 2019. (Getty Images | Noel Vasquez)
Albert Finney
British actor Albert Finney died in February 2019 at the age of 82. (Lucy Nicholson/AFP/Getty Images)
British actor Albert Finney died in February 2019 at the age of 82. (Lucy Nicholson/AFP/Getty Images)
James Ingram
Longtime R&B singer James Ingram died in late January. Quincy Jones, a collaborator of his, wrote: “With that soulful, whisky sounding voice, James Ingram was simply magical ... every beautiful note that James sang pierced your essence and comfortably made itself at home.”
Singer James Ingram has died at the age of 66 after a battle with brain cancer, according to reports on Jan. 29. (Getty Images)
Singer James Ingram has died at the age of 66 after a battle with brain cancer, according to reports on Jan. 29. (Getty Images)
Fatima Ali

“Top Chef” alum Fatima Ali died on Friday, January 25, after a battle with terminal cancer. She was 29.

Former “Top Chef” contestant Bruce Kalman paid tribute to her: “It’s with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Fatima Ali today, as she has lost her battle with cancer,” he wrote

“Top Chef” star Fatima Ali died at the age of 29 after battling a form of bone cancer, said her family. (Instagram / Selfie)
“Top Chef” star Fatima Ali died at the age of 29 after battling a form of bone cancer, said her family. (Instagram / Selfie)
Carol Channing
Carol Channing in Concord, N.H. Channing, whose career spanned decades on Broadway and on television has died at age 97. Publicist B. Harlan Boll says Channing died of natural causes early in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Jan. 15, 2019. (Jim Cole/AP Photo, File)
Carol Channing in Concord, N.H. Channing, whose career spanned decades on Broadway and on television has died at age 97. Publicist B. Harlan Boll says Channing died of natural causes early in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Jan. 15, 2019. (Jim Cole/AP Photo, File)
Bob Einstein
Bob Einstein in Hollywood, Calif., on June 27, 2018. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Bob Einstein in Hollywood, Calif., on June 27, 2018. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Comedian and actor Bob Einstein died on Jan. 2 after a battle with cancer. He was 76.

Daryl Dragon

Daryl 'The Captain' Dragon beside his ex-wife, Toni Tennille, wearing his signature captain's hat. (Hillel Italie/AP)
Daryl 'The Captain' Dragon beside his ex-wife, Toni Tennille, wearing his signature captain's hat. (Hillel Italie/AP)

Daryl Dragon, or “Captain” of pop group Captain and Tennille, died on Jan. 2 of renal failure.

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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