Luke Perry 'Couldn't Stop Talking About His Kids,' Says HisBuffy the Vampire SlayerCostar Kristy Swanson

Mar. 15, 2025

Luke Perry with his two kids, son Jack Perry and daughter Sophie Perry.Photo:Sophie Perry/ Instagram

Sophie Perry/ Instagram

Luke Perry’s friends and former costars are remembering the late actor as a devoted family man.The CW’s new documentaryI am Luke Perrycelebrates the life of theBeverly Hills, 90210star whodied from a massive strokein 2019 at the age of 52. In it, those who knew Perry best share insight into how his greatest accomplishment beyond his acting career was his role as a father to his children,Jack, 27, andSophie, 24, whom he shared with ex-wifeRachel “Minnie” Sharp.“When Luke and Minnie had Jack, I could tell that it affected him deeply, and I think he felt the weight of being a parent like we all do,” Perry’s90210costar and longtime friendJason Priestleysays in the documentary. “He couldn’t be happier. I think he wanted to be a dad for a long time.”Luke Perry, daughter Sophie and son Jack in 2004.SGranitz/WireImageDespite his continued success as an actor, Perry’s primary focus remained his family. “He made choices in his career to be closer to them. He wouldn’t take certain jobs or roles because they would take him too far away from his family,” Margaret Waller, author ofA Good Bad Boy: Luke Perry and How a Generation Grew Up, says of the actor inI am Luke Perry. “He really wanted to be present in his kids’ lives. That really meant a lot to him.”Even while on set, Perry’s mind was often on his family. “I remember his kids being very little, and he’d show you pictures,”Kristy Swansonsays about herBuffy the Vampire Slayercostar. “He couldn’t stop talking about his kids. They were his pride and joy.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Perry’s close friend, restaurateur Chris Barish, recalls how Perry had a special way with all children. “I think being a dad was something he was proud of,” he says. “Being around kids, he really liked. He had a soft way.”Luke Perry and children Jack and Sophie in 2004.BEI/ShutterstockSpeaking to PEOPLE in 2023, Perry’s son Jack — now aprofessional wrestler—recalledhow his father was “always super supportive” of him. “Both my parents were very cool about just letting me do what I wanted and figure it out myself," he said. “And they never pressured me into going into any direction I didn’t want to go.”Two months after his father’s death in 2019, Jackshared some of the valuable lessonshe had learned from Perry. “My dad really just taught me to be as nice as you can to everyone you can,” he told PEOPLE. “He was from Ohio, and he grew up with not a lot of money, and I think he never really lost touch with who he was. He was always just a really good guy above everything else.”I am Luke Perryis now streaming on theCW website.

Luke Perry’s friends and former costars are remembering the late actor as a devoted family man.

The CW’s new documentaryI am Luke Perrycelebrates the life of theBeverly Hills, 90210star whodied from a massive strokein 2019 at the age of 52. In it, those who knew Perry best share insight into how his greatest accomplishment beyond his acting career was his role as a father to his children,Jack, 27, andSophie, 24, whom he shared with ex-wifeRachel “Minnie” Sharp.

“When Luke and Minnie had Jack, I could tell that it affected him deeply, and I think he felt the weight of being a parent like we all do,” Perry’s90210costar and longtime friendJason Priestleysays in the documentary. “He couldn’t be happier. I think he wanted to be a dad for a long time.”

Luke Perry, daughter Sophie and son Jack in 2004.SGranitz/WireImage

Despite his continued success as an actor, Perry’s primary focus remained his family. “He made choices in his career to be closer to them. He wouldn’t take certain jobs or roles because they would take him too far away from his family,” Margaret Waller, author ofA Good Bad Boy: Luke Perry and How a Generation Grew Up, says of the actor inI am Luke Perry. “He really wanted to be present in his kids’ lives. That really meant a lot to him.”

Even while on set, Perry’s mind was often on his family. “I remember his kids being very little, and he’d show you pictures,”Kristy Swansonsays about herBuffy the Vampire Slayercostar. “He couldn’t stop talking about his kids. They were his pride and joy.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Perry’s close friend, restaurateur Chris Barish, recalls how Perry had a special way with all children. “I think being a dad was something he was proud of,” he says. “Being around kids, he really liked. He had a soft way.”

Luke Perry and children Jack and Sophie in 2004.BEI/Shutterstock

Speaking to PEOPLE in 2023, Perry’s son Jack — now aprofessional wrestler—recalledhow his father was “always super supportive” of him. “Both my parents were very cool about just letting me do what I wanted and figure it out myself,” he said. “And they never pressured me into going into any direction I didn’t want to go.”

Two months after his father’s death in 2019, Jackshared some of the valuable lessonshe had learned from Perry. “My dad really just taught me to be as nice as you can to everyone you can,” he told PEOPLE. “He was from Ohio, and he grew up with not a lot of money, and I think he never really lost touch with who he was. He was always just a really good guy above everything else.”

I am Luke Perryis now streaming on theCW website.

source: people.com