Actor Luke Perry died on March 4, 2019 due to a stroke. He had many roles, but one that helped define him was his portrayal of Dylan McKay of the ’90s show 90210. Here’s a personal list reflecting on what made that role so great to a wide range of fans.
The early death of Luke Perry made my youth weep. Luke Perry was the major teen heartthrob of the 90s. He even graced my teenage bedroom walls in the poster for the film Terminal Bliss which promised to be “‘the film Less Than Zero tried to be” (It wasn’t)
While Luke never made it to movie stardom (although I do adore the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie) he nonetheless had a great impact on me through the genius that is Beverly Hills, 90210. So here are his best moments on that show, as chosen by me.
Dude could pull off overalls.
That is high praise indeed. A man who can pull off overalls can rule the world.
Faking lust.
In the infamous Spring Dance episode where [*spoiler!*] Dylan takes Brenda’s virginity, he was able to look at Brenda like she was a snack even though she was wearing this outfit. That’s acting, baby!
He drove a Porsche.
I mean, I don’t actually have any interest in cars at all, but even I have to admit this looks cool.
Great at emotional geometry
He really drew that Kelly/Dylan/Brenda love triangle out for as long as possible. HIGH FIVE, BRO. Also, he ultimately choose Kelly, because, obviously.
Stupendous smolder
Fact: He was really good at smoldering
A Fine Soloist
He was a loner, Dottie, a rebel.
Bonus loner shot:
Well Cojoned
He married the daughter of the hitman who tried to assassinate his father. Dude had balls.
Bookish
He was a high school student that read Virginia Woolf for fun. Lol
He understood consent.
Dylan delivered the following lines to Kelly after she was assaulted, in a Clyde Barrow Halloween costume, no less. “Can I say something? I mean, I know the last thing you need right now is another guy tellin’ you what to do or what to think…you’re blamin’ yourself for leadin’ that guy on. But I want you to know, as a guy, it doesn’t matter how much of a magnet a girl turns on, a guy always has a choice of not making her do somethin’ she doesn’t wanna do.”
A Philosopher King
Hands down his best moment. It needs no context. Dylan is all of us.
