‘Riverdale’ Star KJ Apa Discusses Luke Perry’s Death: ‘We Had a Really Close Relationship’
Gone but not forgotten. KJ Apa got candid about what his late costar Luke Perry meant to him during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Friday, April 26.
“Everyone was pretty shocked, and I think it’s not every day you come across a guy like Luke. Luke is the kind of person who did everything he can to make whoever you are — no matter how big or small you are — comfortable and feel welcome,” the 21-year-old said. “I think yeah, it’s hard to kind of put into words what I feel, but yeah. We had a really close relationship.”
The 90210 alum died after suffering a massive stroke on March 4 at just 52 years old. “He was surrounded by his children, Jack and Sophie, fiancée Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, stepfather Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder and other close family and friends,” Luke’s rep, Arnold Robinson, told In Touch in a statement. “The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Luke from around the world and respectfully request privacy in this time of great mourning. No further details will be released at this time.”
In the CW series, KJ plays the lead character Archie Andrews while Luke played his father, Fred Andrews. Even though the two were family on the show, the New Zealand hunk confessed that Luke would act like his dad IRL, too. “He would call my parents every week and keep them updated on how I am going,” he said. “Like if I had a cold or something, he would be like, ‘I took some Gatorade to his apartment the other day’ like, yeah. Him and my dad were always texting each other stuff, and he made an effort. He made such a huge effort from the very beginning. To me, I was like, I don’t know, I wish I could be like that.”
It hasn’t been easy for KJ and the rest of the cast to move forward from this tragedy. Right after the news broke, the red-headed TV personality wrote a sweet message on Instagram. “Rest in love, bro,” he uploaded a picture of Luke on a boat wearing sunglasses three days after his untimely death.
So, why did the A Dog’s Purpose alum pick that specific snap? “That’s my favorite photo of Luke,” he dished. “I just think he is in complete and utter peace in that photo. Living the dream.”
It seems like their bond was stronger than ever. RIP Luke, you are truly missed.
Have a tip? Send it to us! Email In Touch at contact@intouchweekly.com.
