In addition to being part of Perry’s TV family, Fairchild also knows the actor’s real-life family, including his father John Bennett Perryher costar in the ’80s dramas Flamingo Road And Falcon Crest.

“I used to know his father,” she added. “And the loss of a child – especially the loss of such an amazing, giving and talented child when everything seemed to be going so much better – was just very sad.”

In fact, the 74-year-old remembers that on their first day of work together, Perry “jumped out” to her and told her, “Oh, you won’t remember me, but I used to hang out on the set of Flamingo Road And Falcon Crest with you, with my father.'” Once she realized who his father was, she thought, “God, this little kid I was hanging out with is all grown up now.”

And a very charming one at that.

“Just the sweetness, the kindness, the effervescence, the way he lit up a room and was so funny and kind and generous to everyone, that’s the way I remember him,” Fairchild said. “It’s very sad to see what happened when it happened. it seemed like he was doing so much better. So I think the loss of such a talent, such a nice person who I remember as a promising young actor, very funny, very sweet, it’s just very sad.