Actress Madelaine Petsch is opening up about advice from her former Riverdale co-star Luke Perry.
Entertainment Weekly reported that Petsch discussed working with Perry, who died following a stroke in March 2019 at the age of 52, on Riverdale in a September 2025 interview on Watch What Happens Live, hosted by Bravo boss Andy Cohen. During the talk show episode, a viewer inquired if Perry, who appeared on Riverdale as Archie Andrews’ (K.J. Apa) father, Fred Andrews, imparted any words of wisdom regarding being an actor.
Petsch, who portrayed unhinged cheerleader, Cheryl Blossom, responded that “Luke taught [her] so much.” She shared that he offered her some invaluable career advice as she was navigating starring in a popular teen drama. As fans of Perry are aware, the actor starred as the iconic character Dylan McKay in Beverly Hills, 90210, which ran for 10 seasons until 2000.
“He was really a champion in my career, and he held my hand through the process, because he went through similar fame on 90210,” said Petsch during the Watch What Happens Live interview. “He gave me two really strong pieces of advice. One is: don’t read anything about yourself, ever. I don’t listen to that, it’s really hard. The second was: the first thing you can do on a set is introduce yourself to every single crew member and remember all of their names.”
Cohen replied that he found Perry’s advice to be “very good.”
‘Riverdale’ Stars Shared Positive Stories About Luke Perry Following His Death
Entertainment Weekly reported that Petsch honored Perry’s memory shortly after his death on Instagram. In the caption of the March 2019 post, she said she was “so lucky to have known” and “gotten so close” to the actor during the first three seasons of Riverdale, which premiered in 2017.
“You were such a light in our lives; the most genuine & kind soul I will ever know. From day one of this show you were the most amazing mentor to me. Thank you for teaching me not only about this industry, but also about kindness and being a family and how to foster and nurture those important relationships… you were the absolute best at that. I love you Luke, you and those sweet forehead kisses will forever be missed,” continued Petsch in the post’s caption.
Petsch’s castmate Camila Mendes, who portrayed Veronica Lodge, also mentioned Perry’s kindness and generosity in a March 2019 Instagram tribute. According to Mendes, Perry “took care of” the show’s cast and crew. In addition, the actress said he was “An authentic man who took pleasure in offering us his guidance and wisdom.”
“His presence was healing; he had the ability to make you feel comfortable and at ease within seconds of seeing him. I will never forget the collective shock and distress we experienced when the news broke on set. We lost a dear friend,” concluded Mendes in her caption, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
Apa made similar comments about his on-screen father in an April 2019 interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He said that “it’s not everyday when you come across a person like Luke.”
“Luke did everything he can to make whoever you are, no matter how big or small you are, feel comfortable and feel welcomed,” said Apa in the interview.
In a 2019 interview with BUILD Series, alongside her fellow Riverdale stars, Skeet Ulrich, Marisol Nichols, and Mark Consuelos, Molly Ringwald, who played Archie’s mother, Mary Andrews, said losing Perry “was really hard for all” the cast. She also said the show’s entire cast and crew had a special “relationship with Luke.”
“He was just so beloved,” said Ringwald in the 2019 interview.
She also noted that the CW show, based on Archie Comics, honored Perry’s memory in the first episode of Season 4, titled “Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam,” which aired in 2020.
The final episode of Riverdale aired in 2023, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.