Luke Perry (born Coy Luther Perry III on October 11, 1966) is an American actor. His most prominent role to date has been as Dylan McKay in the long-running TV series Beverly Hills, 90210, a role he played from 1990-95, and then from 1998-2000.

After appearing in a music video for the band Twisted Sister, Perry's earliest roles were in the daytime soap operas Loving (1987-88) and Another World (1988-89). Following this, he then won the role of brooding millionaire's son Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills 90210. Whilst starring on 90210, Perry then won a supporting role in the original film version of Joss Whedon's Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992). Although the film was not a success, Perry had already become a popular teen idol in the early 1990s. Much publicity was garnered over the fact that even though he was playing a sixteen year old when 90210 began, Perry was actually in his early twenties at that time.

Perry starred as Lane Frost in 8 Seconds in 1994. In an attempt to find more mature roles, he decided to leave Beverly Hills 90210 in 1995. In the same year he took part for the italian movie "Vacanze di Natale '95" playing himself. Although he announced that the series was behind him, his departure would eventually turn out to be for only three years. During that time, Perry starred in the TV sci-fi miniseries Invasion (1997) and also made a cameo appearance in Luc Besson's sci-fi adventure film The Fifth Element (1997). Perry then returned to 90210 in 1998 (now billed as a permanent "Special Guest Star") and remained with the series until its conclusion in 2000.

He then went on to play several varied roles. He appeared as Rev. Jeremiah Cloutier in the HBO television series Oz. He is featured in a full frontal nudity scene in Oz.

From 2002 to 2004 he played another character named Jeremiah in the post-apocalyptic TV series Jeremiah.

Perry has also done considerable voice-over work for various animated series, often playing himself. He played himself (and Krusty the Clown's half brother) in an episode of The Simpsons (1993). He also voiced himself in an episode of Johnny Bravo, giving Johnny dating advice after Johnny saved him from a stampede of fan girls. Perry voiced himself once again in an episode of Family Guy, where he was labeled as gay by Peter and sues the family. Peter tries to seduce Perry into revealing his homosexuality and fails horribly. However, by the end of the episode Perry is seen with Mayor Adam West, about to engage in sex. Perry's other voice work includes The Incredible Hulk, Biker Mice From Mars, and Mortal Kombat: Defenders Of The Realm.

Aside from his self-parodying role on Family Guy, Perry has also guest-starred as gay characters in the sitcoms Spin City (1997) and Will and Grace (2005). He appeared as Carter Heywood's ex-boyfriend who subsequently fell in love with a woman on Spin City, and played a geeky gay birdwatcher who caught the eye of Jack on Will and Grace.

Perry was reunited with former 90210 co-star Jennie Garth when he guest starred in What I Like About You, where he played a character who claimed he had been dating Val's (Jennie Garth) best friend when he and Val became romantically involved (clearly a parody of the 90210 "Brenda years").

In 2006, Perry co-starred in the ensemble drama series Windfall, about a group of friends who win the lottery. The series ran for 13 episodes during the summer of 2006 on NBC.

Most recently, Perry appeared in the HBO series John from Cincinnati, which premiered on June 10, 2007 and ran for 10 episodes with the series finale airing on August 12, 2007. He also has been in several movies on the Sci-fi network like Descent.

Perry was married to former model Rachel Sharp from 1993-2003, until they divorced. The couple share joint custody of their two children, Jack (born June 1996) and Sophie (born June 2001).

His second child with wife Minnie, a daughter Sophie, was born early June 2000 and she weighed 7 lbs 14 ounces. They also have a son, Jack.

Auditioned for the role of Steve on "Beverly Hills, 90210" (1990) before being cast as Dylan.

Was voted "Biggest Flirt" by his high school classmates.

Son, Jack Perry, born 15 June 1997.

Has two boxers named Casey and Mac.

Had a potbellied pig named "Jerry Lee", named after Jerry Lee Lewis.

He once worked at a doorknob factory

Ranked #6 in TV Guide's list of "TV's 25 Greatest Teen Idols" (23 January 2005 issue).

Born on exactly the same day as Sean Patrick Flanery.