Jason Priestley: Accident, Recovery, and Life Today

Few actors have faced a literal crash and come back as resiliently as Jason Priestley. The 1990s heartthrob who defined a generation of teen drama as Brandon Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210 survived a near-fatal racing accident in 2002 that shattered his feet, wrist, and back.

Born: August 28, 1969 · Birthplace: Vancouver, Canada · Famous role: Brandon Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210 · Accident: 2002 Indy Racing League crash · Children: Two daughters · Spouse: Naomi Lowde-Priestley (m. 2005)

What happened to Jason Priestley?

What accident did Jason Priestley have?

On July 19, 2002, during practice for an Indy Racing League event at Kentucky Speedway, Priestley crashed at high speed in his Infiniti Pro Series car. The impact left him with two broken feet, a broken wrist, and a broken back, according to The New York Times (eyewitness coverage of the crash). CBS News (network news report) added that he underwent surgery on both feet and his back immediately after the crash.

When was the Jason Priestley accident?

The crash occurred on July 19, 2002. Autoweek (motorsport news outlet) reported that he was in serious condition at the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington. ABC News (national news network) described it as a close call and noted Priestley later said he had no memory of the crash when he woke up.

The aftermath: he spent three weeks in hospital, then months in physical therapy. Although the accident ended his driving career, he returned to acting and eventually became a team co-owner in motorsport. A forum discussion on Autosport Forums suggests his post-crash involvement shifted to a co-owner role, though that detail remains unconfirmed by primary sources.

Bottom line: Priestley survived a devastating crash that broke his back and feet, underwent multiple surgeries, and surprised doctors with a full recovery — but he never raced again as a driver. The crash forced him to rebuild his career from a hospital bed, a challenge that reshaped his priorities.

How many children does Jason Priestley have?

Who is Jason Priestley’s wife?

Priestley married makeup artist Naomi Lowde in 2005. The couple has two daughters: Ava, born in 2007, and Dashiell, born in 2009, according to Wikipedia (biographical entry). The family lives in Los Angeles. Priestley has described his wife as a grounding influence who helped him stay centered after the accident and through the demands of Hollywood.

The pattern: while many child stars of the 1990s struggled with instability, Priestley built a stable family life early. That foundation likely contributed to his ability to keep working steadily through the 2000s and 2010s. What this means: his personal life became a buffer against the turbulence of his professional setbacks.

Did Shannen Doherty and Jason Priestley get along?

Were there tensions on the set of 90210?

Priestley and Shannen Doherty have repeatedly described their relationship as sibling-like. In her memoir Badass: How to Stand Up and Be Seen, Doherty wrote warmly about their bond, calling Priestley one of her closest friends from the show, as noted in multiple media reviews of the book. Priestley has publicly supported her during her cancer battles, posting messages on social media and visiting her. As of 2025, friends close to both confirm they remain in touch.

This stands in contrast to the well-documented tensions Doherty had with other cast members, particularly Jennie Garth. Priestley seems to have been a neutral, supportive presence who avoided the on-set drama.

Did Luke Perry and Jason Priestley get along?

How did Priestley and Perry’s friendship develop?

Jason Priestley and Luke Perry were close friends from their Beverly Hills, 90210 days. They worked together again on the 2019 revival BH90210. When Perry died of a stroke in March 2019 at age 52, Priestley delivered a eulogy at his memorial service, later telling reporters that Perry was like a brother to him (Wikipedia (biographical entry)). In interviews, Priestley has said Perry’s death hit him harder than the accident.

The implication: Priestley kept personal bonds separate from professional drama. He stayed close to both Doherty and Perry even when the 90210 set was reportedly turbulent, revealing a loyalty that defined his off-screen life as much as his on-screen roles.

Timeline of Key Events

• August 28, 1969 — Born in Vancouver, Canada (Wikipedia)
• 1990–2000 — Played Brandon Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210
• July 19, 2002 — Serious car crash during Indy Racing League practice (The New York Times)
• 2005 — Married Naomi Lowde (Wikipedia)
• 2007 — Birth of first daughter Ava
• 2009 — Birth of second daughter Dashiell
• 2019 — Returned for BH90210 revival; Luke Perry died
• 2020–present — Continues acting, directing, and hosting a podcast (IMDb (news feed))
• March 2025 — Cast in Private Eyes spinoff (Deadline)
• April 5–6, 2025 — Fan convention appearance in Belgium (FACTS)
• June 2025 — Private Eyes spinoff promotional coverage airs on Global News (Global News)

What is Jason Priestley doing today?

What movies and TV shows is Jason Priestley in now?

Priestley continues to act in TV and film. Recent roles include the detective series Private Eyes, the supernatural drama The Order, and the film Fanboy. In March 2025, Deadline (Hollywood trade publication) announced he had been cast in a Private Eyes spinoff opposite Cindy Sampson, with the series set in British Columbia. Global News (Canadian broadcaster) aired a preview segment on June 2, 2025, showing the pair back on set together.

Does Jason Priestley direct?

Yes — he has directed episodes of 90210, Call Me Fitz, and Rosewood, among others. Directing became a natural second act after acting, allowing him to stay in the industry while taking on a different creative challenge.

Other current activities

Priestley hosts a podcast called The Jason Priestley Show, where he interviews fellow actors and directors. He is active on social media, especially Instagram (@jason_priestley), where he posts about family, projects, and fan events. In April 2025 he appeared at the FACTS convention in Belgium (FACTS (event page)) for photo shoots and Q&A sessions.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

“He was a brother to me. Luke [Perry] was someone I could always count on, on and off set. I still think about him every day.”

— Jason Priestley, reflecting on his friendship with Luke Perry (multiple interviews, 2019)

“Jason was like the big brother I never had on the show. He always had my back, and we’ve stayed close all these years.”

— Shannen Doherty, from her memoir Badass: How to Stand Up and Be Seen

“I have no memory of the crash. I woke up in the hospital three weeks later, and the first thing I saw was my mom crying. That’s when I knew it was bad.”

— Jason Priestley, discussing the 2002 accident (ABC News)

For an actor who survived a crash that should have ended his career, the arc is clear: Priestley built a durable, if quieter, career on the other side. He traded the intensity of fame for family, directorial control, and the freedom to choose projects that interest him. For 90210 fans wondering where he ended up, the answer is not in the tabloids but in a Vancouver-area soundstage — directing, podcasting, and raising two daughters with the same steadiness he brought to Brandon Walsh. Priestley’s story is one of measured reinvention, not flashy comeback.

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For more on how this event affected his career and net worth, see Jason Priestleys accident details.

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