Luke Perry, the actor best known for his roles on the TV dramas Riverdale and Beverly Hills 90210, died at age 54 after suffering a massive stroke. One generation of fans loved him as brooding 90's heartthrob Dylan McKay. Another loved him as Archie Andrews' conservative but compassionate father.
Following reports of Perry's death, fans and celebrities paid tribute to him on social media. They also shared stories about his acts of kindness, like changing lightbulbs for neighbors, bringing food and water to survivors of the 2010 flood in Tennessee, and traveling with balloons on airplanes so he can give them to screaming kids. (Brilliant idea, isn't it?)
Perry's 18-year-old daughter, Sophie, mourned her father on Instagram, writing, "A lot has happened in this past week for me. Everything is happening so fast. I made it back from Malawi just in time to be here with my family, And in the past 24 hours I have received an overwhelming amount of love and support."
She continued, "I cannot individually respond to the hundreds of beautiful and heartfelt messages, but I see them, and appreciate you all for sending positivity to my family and I. I’m not really sure what to say or do in this situation, it’s something you aren’t ever given a lesson on how to handle, especially when it’s all happening in the public eye. So bear with me and know that I am grateful for all the love. Just, being grateful quietly."
However, Instagram being Instagram, not all the comments to her post were kind. On Monday, Sophie fired back at the social media trolls criticizing her 'grieving process.'
"Since my dad died I have received a lot of attention online. And most of it has been positive but of course, some people just can’t be nice. And I’m here to say that I did not ask for this attention, I did not ask to be thrown into some virtual spotlight, and while I don’t mean to offend anybody, I’m also not going to cater to any one else’s needs and beliefs. I’m 18. I swear like a sailor and sometimes I dress like a hooker. And I support causes and you may not. And most importantly. I am going to laugh and smile and live my normal life.
"YES I am hurt and sad and crying and beside myself with what happened to my dad. It’s the worst thing to ever happen in my life. And I am torn the fuck up over it. But I’m not going to sit in my room and cry day in and day out until the internet has deemed it appropriate for me to do otherwise. And if you knew my dad you would know he wouldnt want me to. So you shouldn’t either. So to those of you shaming me for my language and my wardrobe and most disgustingly, my grieving process, do us both the favor and just unfollow. It’s a waste of both of your time."
