Cue the "small-town Ohio" tropes.
Luke Perry may have left his hometown for Hollywood, but his death on Monday resurfaced stories of how he always remained close to his Ohio roots. He was a longtime Cleveland Browns fan, and even came home to campaign for Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) in 2006, continuing a connection with the Brown family that started decades earlier.
Brown was born in Mansfield, Ohio, and grew up there with his doctor father. Perry was born in Mansfield as well, 14 years later — and Brown's father delivered him, The Morning Journal documented during his 2006 campaign visit.
I met Luke Perry in ‘06 - he came home to Ohio to campaign for Sherrod Brown (Sherrod’s father, a Mansfield doctor, delivered Luke).
Luke did events across Ohio. We offered a driver, but his high school buddy drove him in a beat up car. Zero ego.
I'm very sorry for his family. pic.twitter.com/42dF4EvS5B— Michael O'Neil (@abefromanohio) March 4, 2019
Perry died Monday after suffering a stroke last Wednesday, and Brown tweeted his condolences.
Very saddened by this loss. Luke Perry was not only a talented actor—but a warm, kind person who made his home state proud. My thoughts are with his friends, family, and loved ones. https://t.co/MuSHhLsWOA
— Sherrod Brown (@SherrodBrown) March 4, 2019
