Jason Priestley Says Luke Perry’s Death Was A ‘Bittersweet’ Reminder To ‘Spend Time With People You Love’

Mar 31, 2023

"Beverly Hills, 90210" star Jason Priestley opened up about feeling "bittersweet" every time March rolls by because it's a happy but painful reminder of his cherished times with his friend, Luke Perry. 

Perry died at the age of 52 on March 4, 2019, due to a massive ischemic stroke. Priestley not only lost a friend and a co-star but also a collaborator and a neighbor who frequently dropped by his house unannounced so they could hang out.

Priestley and Perry met on the popular youth-centric series in 1990 but maintained their friendship even as "Beverly Hills, 90210" aired its last episode in 2000. Just like their TV alter egos, best friends Brandon Walsh and Dylan McKay, the buddies forged a tight and unbreakable bond. After leaving their hit series, the actors pursued different interests, yet they got together as often as they could. 

Perry did more serious roles on television and starred in a Swedish film in 2009. In 2011, the best friends collaborated again on "Goodnight for Justice" a Western Hallmark movie. Perry led the cast with Priestley as the director. On the other hand, Priestley traveled around the world, dabbled in TV guest appearances and directing, and returned to his favorite hobby: race car driving.

But in 2002, Perry almost lost Priestley in a motor racing practice run at the Kentucky Derby. Priestley tried to avoid another car, which had blown up, but he lost control and rammed into a retaining wall. 

Paramedics on the scene said that Priestley technically died for 45 seconds and was rushed to the trauma center of the University of Kentucky Hospital, where his family and friends gathered. Perry was the first face Priestley saw and touched when he woke up.  

In a podcast interview with David Lascher and Christine Taylor on March 27, 2023, Priestley revealed his feelings about the anniversary of Perry's death. He said that it was unfortunate his friendship with Perry "got cut short" because of his passing. "It's bittersweet every March when we go by the anniversary of his passing," Priestley said in the podcast.

"It was a real freak thing that happened with him," he added. "It was a good reminder to spend time with people you love and never take any of it for granted."

On Feb. 27, 2019, Perry was at home when he suffered a stroke and was rushed to the hospital. His family thought he could recover, but his body gave up five days later. Following Perry's death, Priestley wrote a tribute to his friend but stated that he struggled for "a couple of days" on what to say. 

"Luke was not only a star, he was an incredibly bright light that was extinguished far too soon," he wrote on his Instagram. "That is why I, and so many others, are in so much pain today..." 

Almost a year after losing his friend, Priestley said that he was still feeling "pretty raw" about this tragedy. He also expressed some regrets that his friend died without a "sense of completion" because Perry was still young and was still halfway through trying to make a difference. 

Jennie Garth, their co-star on "Beverly Hills, 90210," also remembered Perry on the anniversary of his death. The actress said that it's "not going to ever get easy" because there are visual reminders of Perry when she rewatches their podcast for “90210MG.”

"I see him every week, I see pictures of us all the time. I have a picture of my mantle," Garth told People.   

Jason Priestley and Luke Perry had a reel and real-life friendship! What do you think of Priestley’s sentiments about how bittersweet it is to remember his friend? Do you know a fan of these two stars? Then tell them about this story!