Tiffani Thiessen Says the World ‘Has a Hole In It’ After ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ Costar Luke Perry’s Death

It’s been a rough few days for friends and family of beloved star Luke Perry after he sadly passed away on Monday, March 4 after suffering a massive stroke just five days prior. His death has been especially hard for the former cast of Beverly Hills, 90210 and, on Thursday, March 7, Tiffani Thiessen took to Instagram to share a black and white photo of the two along with an emotional caption.

“My heart has been weighing heavy. The loss of a man who started as my costar but quickly became my friend,” the 45-year-old captioned the stunning portrait. “He welcomed me on my very first day of 90210 with open arms. A day that was not an easy one for me. I was coming into a show, a family really, that had been together for over four years. But this man took me under his wing and made me feel at home. Made me feel like I belonged in his TV family.”

Tiffani — who played Luke’s character Dylan McKay’s love interest Valerie Malone on 90210 — continued, “He was sincere, sweet, warm, kind, professional and funny as all heck. And most of all, the definition of a gentleman. Luke, our world has a hole in it now that you aren’t here. But heaven definitely gained you as an angel.”

The Alexa and Katie actress is just one of many stars from the hit FOX series that paid tribute to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor following his passing. Earlier on Wednesday, Jason Priestley also broke his silence on Luke’s tragic death via social media. “It’s taken me a couple of days to figure out how to write this … My dear friend of 29 years, Luke Perry, was one of those truly special people who really cared,” the 49-year-old captioned two side-by-side photos of the pair. “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.”

The Private Eyes star 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 candle that burns twice as bright only burns for half as long … you burned oh, so brightly Luke … Goodnight Sweet Prince.”

On the day the news of Luke’s death first broke, the actor’s rep confirmed his passing in a statement obtained by Closer Weekly. “[Luke] was surrounded by his children, Jack and Sophie, fiancée Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, stepfather 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,” the message read.