Leonardo DiCaprio on Meeting Luke Perry on Set
Even Hollywood legends get starstruck, and Leonardo DiCaprio is no exception. In the new documentary I Am Luke Perry, DiCaprio opens up about the unforgettable moment he met Luke Perry on the set of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and the lasting impression the late actor left on him.
Leonardo DiCaprio on His First Encounter with Luke Perry
Friends, family, and former co-stars are remembering Perry’s remarkable career and warm heart in the documentary I Am Luke Perry, directed by Jason Priestley. DiCaprio, 50, says that meeting Perry on set was one of those surreal moments for him.
“I was immediately struck by his kindness,” DiCaprio said of the time he shared a set with the late actor on Quentin Tarantino’s Oscar-winning film. “There was an immediate sense of excitement in seeing Luke Perry on set. It was incredible.”
Luke Perry’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Role
Perry played real actor Wayne Maunder in the film, and was featured in a recreation of Lancer’s pilot episode. DiCaprio, who played fictional Western actor Rick Dalton, starred alongside Perry and marveled at how surreal it was to work with him.
“I remember being in my teens, and he was the manifestation of the new [James] Dean on television, and everyone was crazy about him,” DiCaprio says. “I felt this overwhelming feeling of being starstruck.”
DiCaprio and Perry: An On-Set Conversation
It turned out that, despite his nervousness, DiCaprio and Perry eventually had a deep talk about their careers, LA, and how they both ended up in Hollywood.
“We sat down and talked about where his career had gone, where my career had gone, where his life [had gone], my life [had gone].”
DiCaprio said that in the case of Perry, he was particularly struck by his humility and warmth. “I was so struck by the kindness of his character. [He was] just an incredibly generous human being.”
Passing of Luke Perry and DiCaprio’s Tribute
The actor passed away in March 2019 due to complications from a stroke at the age of 52, four months before the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood premiere.
DiCaprio reflected on Perry’s legacy on the red carpet this summer: “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.”
DiCaprio later paid tribute to Perry on social media, calling it an “honor” to have worked with him and that he was “deeply saddened” by the loss.
Where to Watch I Am Luke Perry
You can now stream the documentary entitled I Am Luke Perry, which will give his fans a view into the actor’s life and career.
Luke Perry has left an undeniable mark on Hollywood, not just with his performances but with his acts of charity and good will. The heartfelt words by DiCaprio remind us that indeed, Perry has a lasting legacy.
Did you grow up watching Luke Perry? Share in the comments below your favorite memories!
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