The CW’s Riverdale has shut down production for the day following the death of star Luke Perry, Deadline has learned. The series’ executive producers Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Jon Goldwater issued the following statement along with WBTV and The CW. “We are deeply saddened to learn today about the passing of Luke Perry. A beloved member of the Riverdale, Warner Bros. and CW family, Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all. A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness. Our thoughts are with Luke’s family during this most difficult time.” Also today, the Riverdale Writers Room tweeted: Luke Perry… you were a joyful and vibrant soul. You will be missed but most certainly your legacy will be remembered forever. Rest in love and peace, friend. #Riverdale — Riverdale Writers Room (@RiverdaleWriter) March 4, 2019 Perry died today after suffering a massive stroke last week. He was 52. He played Archie’s dad Fred Andrews on the CW/WBTV series.<doc-sep>Riverdale temporarily shuts down production following Luke Perry's death Chapter Thirteen: The Sweet Hereafter Riverdale type TV Show network The CW Riverdale is taking time to grieve. EW has learned that the CW drama shut down production for the day following star Luke Perry’s death Monday, and remained suspended on Tuesday. The Archie comics series is currently in the middle of its third season, which films in Vancouver. The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum, who played Archie Andrews’ (KJ Apa) father Fred on Riverdale, died Monday at the age of 52 after suffering a stroke the week prior. According to a statement from his representative Arnold Robinson, he was surrounded by family and friends when he died. “He was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancé Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, step-father Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends,” Robinson 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. No further details will be released at this time.” Chapter Twenty-Eight: There Will Be Blood Credit: Jack Rowand/The CW At this time, there is no word on how Riverdale will handle Perry’s passing on screen. Following the news of his death, The CW, Warner Bros. Television, and executive producers Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Sarah Schechter, Greg Berlanti, and Jon Goldwater released this statement: “We are deeply saddened to learn today about the passing of Luke Perry. A beloved member of the Riverdale, Warner Bros. and CW family, Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all. A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness. Our thoughts are with Luke’s family during this most difficult time.” Riverdale airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on The CW. This post has been updated. Related content:<doc-sep>Riverdale Shuts Down Production After Luke Perry’s Death: 'We Are Deeply Saddened' Production on Riverdale has been halted in the wake of Luke Perry‘s sudden death. The hit CW show shut down production for the day on Monday after Perry died following a massive stroke, PEOPLE has learned. Production remained suspended Tuesday, according to Entertainment Weekly. Get push notifications with news, features and more. In a statement to PEOPLE, series executive producers Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Jon Goldwater said the cast and crew are “deeply saddened” by the loss of Perry. “We are deeply saddened to learn today about the passing of Luke Perry. A beloved member of the ‘Riverdale,’ Warner Bros. and CW family, Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all. A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness. Our thoughts are with Luke’s family during this most difficult time.” Chapter Four: The Last Picture Show Luke Perry and KJ Apa on Riverdale | Credit: Dean Buscher /The CW Perry starred as Archie’s (KJ Apa) dad, Fred Andrews, on the CW show. He joined the show during the first season and has appeared in almost every episode. Riverdale is currently in its third season. Pilot Credit: Diyah Pera/The CW Perry was hospitalized on Feb. 27 after paramedics were dispatched to his home in Sherman Oaks, California. A source tells PEOPLE he never regained consciousness. The actor remained “under observation” for five days but died on Monday, March 4. He was 52. “Actor Luke Perry, 52, passed away today after suffering a massive stroke,” Perry’s rep told PEOPLE in a statement. “He was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancé Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, step-father Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends. 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. No further details will be released at this time.”<doc-sep>
UPDATED: Production on “Riverdale” remains shut down as of Tuesday, March 5. “Riverdale” shut down production on Monday following the news of Luke Perry’s death, Variety has learned. In addition, series executive producers Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, and Jon Goldwater issued the following statement along with Warner Bros. Television and the CW: “We are deeply saddened to learn today about the passing of Luke Perry. A beloved member of the ‘Riverdale,’ Warner Bros. and CW family, Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all. A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness. Our thoughts are with Luke’s family during this most difficult time.” Perry played Fred Andrews, the father of Archie Andrews, on the CW series and had been with the show from the very beginning. He died Monday morning after suffering a massive stroke last Wednesday. It is unknown at this time how the show will address his death and whether his character will be written off. Tributes to Perry began pouring in almost immediately. His “Riverdale” co-star Molly Ringwald wrote, “My heart is broken. I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family.” The official Twitter account of the “Riverdale” writers’ room posted, “Luke Perry… you were a joyful and vibrant soul. You will be missed but most certainly your legacy will be remembered forever. Rest in love and peace, friend.”