"Actor Luke Perry, 52, passed away today after suffering a massive stroke," publicist Arnold Robinson said in a statement.

"The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers. They 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."

Robinson went on to state :

"He was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancé Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp. Also, his mother Ann Bennett, step-father Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends were with him."

TMZ reported that Perry had suffered a "massive" stroke last Wednesday. Further claiming that he was responsive when he arrived at the hospital in Burbank, California. He was under sedation when his condition deteriorated.

Many of his fellow actors including those he acted with on Beverly Hills 90210, which started his career in the early 1990s, took to social media last week to post get well messages for a full recovery.

Shannen Doherty, his co-star on the series, posted on Instagram last week a photo of them both in the show with a message that read "you got this."

On Monday afternoon, the "get well" messages changed. They became posts of shock and condolences for his family after his passing.

He was born on 11 October 1966, in Mansfield, Ohio, with the name Coy Luther Perry III.