Shannen Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and although it went into remission in 2017, the disease returned and advanced to stage 4 by 2020.
Shannen Doherty, renowned for her roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed,” passed away at 53 after a prolonged battle with breast cancer. Her publicist, Leslie Sloane, confirmed her death on July 13.
In a statement, Sloane expressed, “With deep sadness, I confirm the passing of Shannen Doherty. After years of fighting cancer, she succumbed to the disease on Saturday.” Doherty’s final moments were spent surrounded by her family, friends, and her beloved dog, Bowie. The family has requested privacy during this time of mourning.
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Doherty captured hearts with her performances in the 1989 film “Heathers,” as Brenda Walsh in “Beverly Hills, 90210” (1990-1994), and as Prue Halliwell in “Charmed” (1998-2001). Her breast cancer diagnosis came in 2015, and although it went into remission in 2017, the disease returned and advanced to stage 4 by 2020. In June 2023, Doherty shared that her cancer had metastasized to her brain.
Throughout her illness, Shannen Doherty remained transparent about her journey, chronicling it on her podcast “Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty,” with the latest episode airing on July 8.
Despite her incurable condition, Doherty maintained a hopeful outlook on her future. She stated, “I need to earn as much as possible in the next two years, so I can secure a future for my mom and enjoy more vacations.”
Shannen Doherty: Early Life and Career
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Doherty moved to Los Angeles with her family and began acting at ten years old on “Father Murphy.” Her talent caught the eye of Michael Landon, leading to her role as Jenny Wilder on “Little House on the Prairie.” She continued to build her career with roles in “Our House,” the 1985 film “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” and “Heathers” in 1988.
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Her breakthrough came with “Beverly Hills, 90210,” where she became a household name playing Brenda Walsh. Despite leaving the show after four seasons due to on-set tensions, she returned to prominence with roles in “Almost Dead” (1994), “Mallrats” (1995), and as Prue Halliwell in “Charmed.” She left “Charmed” after three seasons and appeared in films such as “The Rendering” (2002) and “View of Terror” (2003).
Doherty reprised her role as Brenda in the CW reboot “90210” in 2008 and participated in the 2019 meta-reboot “BH90210.” She also guest-starred on “Riverdale” in 2019, a poignant cameo following the death of her former co-star Luke Perry.
In 2020, Doherty reflected on her cancer journey in an interview with Elle Magazine, emphasizing gratitude and the importance of cherishing small moments. “The small things are magnified for me. We have this endless well within us, and it’s about finding the strength to face adversity while appreciating all the beauty,” she said.
Tributes poured in by colleagues and friends
Following her passing, tributes poured in from her colleagues and friends. Gabrielle Carteris, a “90210” co-star, expressed her sorrow on Instagram, stating, “So young – so sad. May you RIP Shannon. I know Luke is there with open arms to love you.”
Jason Priestley, who played Doherty’s on-screen brother Brandon Walsh, shared his grief, describing her as a “force of nature.” Brian Austin Green, another “90210” alum, admitted he was struggling to process her loss.
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Rose McGowan, Doherty’s “Charmed” co-star, paid tribute to her friend’s indomitable spirit, saying, “Shannen had the heart of a lion. Passion for craft is often mislabeled as trouble. Shannen was passion.” McGowan cherished their unique friendship, marked by mutual respect and love.
Shannen Doherty‘s legacy as a talented actress and a resilient spirit will continue to inspire and resonate with her fans and loved ones.