Even A-list celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio can experience moments of being starstruck.
In I Am Luke Perry, a new documentary about the late actor Luke Perry, produced by his Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star and close friend Jason Priestley, family, friends, and fellow actors reflect on Perry’s life and career.
Perry passed away in March 2019 at the age of 52 due to complications from a stroke.
The documentary traces Perry’s journey from his small-town Ohio roots to his rise as a Hollywood heartthrob in the 1990s, his later career, and his lasting legacy.
Among those remembering him is DiCaprio, 50, who recalls meeting Perry while filming Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 Oscar-winning film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
“I was immediately struck by his kindness,” the Titanic star said, speaking alongside Tarantino, 61, and co-star Margot Robbie.
“Having been born and raised in Los Angeles, and worked in this industry my entire life, it has, in many ways, greatly shaped who I am,” he continued. “There was an immediate sense of excitement in seeing Luke Perry on set. It was incredible.”
Remembering Luke Perry’s Impact
Perry played real-life actor Wayne Maunder in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, appearing in a recreation of Lancer‘s pilot episode. Meanwhile, DiCaprio portrayed Rick Dalton, a fictional Western actor.
Reflecting on his experience of meeting Perry, DiCaprio shared in I Am Luke Perry, “I remember being in my teens, and he was the manifestation of the new [James] Dean on television, and everyone was crazy about him.”
“I felt this overwhelming feeling of being starstruck,” he continued. “But then he and I got to sit down and talk about Los Angeles, the ’90s, his life, where his career had gone, where my career had gone, where his life [had gone], my life [had gone].”
DiCaprio added, “I was so, struck, how do I say this, by the kindness of his character. [He was] just an incredibly generous human being.”
Sadly, Perry passed away just four months before the July 2019 premiere of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
A Lasting Tribute
Luke Perry attends the Vulture Festival at The Standard High Line on May 20, 2017, in New York City.
DiCaprio had previously shared his admiration for Perry on the red carpet that summer, saying, “I grew up with him on [Beverly Hills] 90210, looking up to him as literally the coolest dude on Earth, and honestly, when I was on set, I was starstruck.”
He went on to add, “We got to sit down and chat. He couldn’t have been a more amazing human being. It’s a real tragic loss.”
On March 4, the day Perry’s death was confirmed, DiCaprio also posted a heartfelt tribute on social media, calling it an “honor” to have worked with him. I Am Luke Perry is now streaming.
