'Riverdale' season 4 will have a special Luke Perry tribute, confirms creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
'Riverdale' is going to dedicate an entire episode of season four to pay tribute to the late actor Luke Perry who passed away in March this year. Perry played the role of the protagonist, Archie's (KJ Apa) father, Fred Andrews in the American teen drama, but he suddenly died earlier this year after suffering a stroke at the age of just 52.
Fans have been waiting for a proper send-off for the actor and now the CW show's creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa confirmed the news of the upcoming tribute arriving in the fourth season, after the remaining episodes of season 3 that arrived following Perry's death, were all dedicated to the late actor. The tribute episode honoring Perry in season 4, will be titled 'In Memoriam.'
Taking to Twitter, Aguirre-Sacasa wrote: "Probably the most important episode of #Riverdale we’ll do this year, if not ever. A tribute to our fallen friend. Thankful for this opportunity to honor Luke & Fred." Aguirre-Sacasa had previously confirmed that the show would be acknowledging Perry's death within its narrative, and by the looks of it, he was referring to an upcoming episode in season 4.
The season three finale titled 'Fear the Reaper', featured the late actor's final scenes as Fred, where he and Archie share "a beautiful, true moment". The episode found Archie riddled with guilt after finding out that Randy Ronson - the man he had knocked out in the ring previously - had died. He returns home with his father, consumed with the realization of what he might have done, his father - as supportive as ever - tries reassuring him that Randy died because of the drugs that were found in his system. "You're innocent," Fred assures Archie.
Perry, known as the 90's heartthrob after his appearance on the Fox show 'Beverly Hills, 90210' propelled him towards incredible popularity, had recently appeared as Reverend Jeremiah Cloutier in the HBO prison drama 'Oz,' and also starred in shows such as 'Jeremiah', 'Windfall' and 'John From Cincinnati.' Following his death, Perry's agent Arnold Robinson released a statement and said, "The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Luke from around the world, and respectfully request privacy in this time of great mourning."