“Beverly Hills, 90210” star Luke Perry passed away in 2019 at 52, but he’s certainly never been forgotten. Even years after his passing, his friends, family, and fans still share their favorite memories of the beloved actor.
In a new interview, “Desperate Housewives” alum Neal McDonough opened up about a dark chapter in his life. Thankfully, his friend Luke Perry stepped in to lend a helping hand. Thanks to Perry’s involvement, Neal McDonough was able to get back on his feet.
Luke Perry Took Neal McDonough Into His Home
At one point during Neal McDonough’s acting career, he was struggling with alcoholism. He admitted to always being a heavy drinker, but the problem truly escalated after he lost a job for refusing to kiss a co-star.
“What time is the bar open? That was generally my thought process back then,” the father of five shared in a new interview with Fox News. “It was, you know, fired from a show because I wouldn’t kiss a woman. No one would hire me because they thought I was this religious nut bag, which is that I love my wife so much. And no one can understand it, no one could understand it.”
“I lost the house, lost the cars, lost everything,” McDonough continued, noting that he continuously struggled to land gigs after word of his reputation spread.
Thankfully, his good friend Luke Perry stepped up during McDonough’s time of need. Perry invited the actor, his wife, and all five of their children to live with him while they figured things out.
“’Justified’ was just coming out, but I still didn’t think I was worth anything because I failed to my family,” the 60-year-old told the outlet. “I failed, [my wife] Ruve, my five kids, that I lost our house. I lost all the beautiful things that were the shiny widgets that I had accumulated, were all taken away from me. And that crucifixion caused me so much inner pain because I made it all about me. How could I let the team down?”
Thankfully, things turned around for the McDonough family. The actor stars in an upcoming biopic about Jimmy Stewart.
Loved Ones Leave Kind Words For the Late Actor on Social Media
Immediately after Luke Perry’s passing, loved ones flooded social media with kind tributes to his memory. His “Beverly Hills, 90210” co-star Jason Priestley poured his heart out in a heartbreaking message.
“It’s taken me a couple of days to figure out how to write this…” Priestley shared on Instagram. “My dear friend of 29 years, Luke Perry, was one of those truly special people who really cared… Luke was not only a star, he was an incredibly bright light that was extinguished far too soon… and that is why I, and so many others, are in so much pain today… If you had the good fortune to know Luke, or to have ever crossed his path, I know you are sad today as well… the candle that burns twice as bright only burns for half as long… you burned oh, so brightly Luke… Goodnight Sweet Prince.”
Fans wish the best for Luke Perry’s loved ones as they grieve his loss and honor his memory.
