Jason Priestley Speaks Out for First Time Following Luke Perry’s Death: ‘I Am in So Much Pain’

They were costars on Beverly Hills, 90210 together, and now Jason Priestley is paying tribute to his friend Luke Perry, who recently passed away at the age of 52.

The 49-year-old, who played Brandon Walsh on the popular Fox show, took to Instagram on Thursday, March 7 to share some beautiful words about Luke. “It’s taken me a couple of days to figure out how to write this,” the actor began the caption of two photos of himself and his close pal. “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.”

He continued, “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 Private Eyes star added, “The candle that burns twice as bright only burns for half as long … you burned oh, so brightly Luke … Goodnight Sweet Prince.” Take a look at Jason’s Instagram tribute to Luke below. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuszCmInJbA/

Jason was not the only one of Luke’s costars to pay tribute to him as Shannen Doherty also told People, “I am in shock. Heartbroken. Devastated by the loss of my friend. I have so many memories with Luke that make me smile and that are forever imprinted on my heart and mind. Luke was a smart, quiet, humble and complex man with a heart of gold and [a] never-ending well of integrity and love … he reached out to me during my cancer journey and we picked right back up, albeit older and wiser, but that connection remained intact.”

The Charmed alum, 47, added, “I will miss him every day. Every minute. Every second.”

The actor leaves behind a fiancée, Wendy Madison Bauer, and two kids, Jack Perry, 21, and Sophie Perry, 18. Both children shared tributes for their father as well soon after his passing.