Actress Shannen Doherty, who rose to fame as a young actor and became a household name in the 1990s through her role on the iconic high school drama "Beverly Hills, 90210," passed away on Saturday after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 53 years old.
"It is with sadness that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after bravely fighting the disease for many years," stated Doherty’s publicist, Leslie Sloane.
Doherty first faced a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2015, achieving remission two years later. Unfortunately, her health took a turn when court documents from a lawsuit against her insurance company revealed she was battling Stage 4 breast cancer that had spread and was now incurable.
Reflecting on her journey during an interview with “Good Morning America,” Doherty shared, “It's incredibly tough to accept in many ways. There are moments where I ask myself, 'Why me?' But then I realize, 'Why not me? Who else would deserve this?' None of us do.”
In June 2023, Shannen Doherty shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, revealing that her cancer had spread to her brain earlier in the year.
“On January 5th, my scan showed Mets in my brain,” Doherty wrote alongside a video showing her undergoing radiation treatment. “I was overcome with fear. Being extremely claustrophobic, and with so much going on in my life, the timing and turmoil were overwhelming. This is the harsh reality of cancer.”
Born on April 12, 1971, in Memphis, Tennessee, Shannen Doherty quickly found her way into Hollywood. By age 10, she made her acting debut on the series “Father Murphy,” shortly after her family relocated to Los Angeles. Her talent caught the eye of series producer Michael Landon, who cast her in “Little House on the Prairie” as Laura Ingalls Wilder’s adopted daughter, marking the beginning of her notable career.
Following this breakthrough, Doherty took on various roles, including a significant three-year stint (1986-1988) on the family drama “Our House” alongside Wilford Brimley, and a memorable role in the 1989 dark comedy “Heathers,” solidifying her presence in the entertainment industry.
However, her breakthrough came the following year when she landed the role of Brenda Walsh in "Beverly Hills, 90210," a character that would define her career. At just 19 years old, Doherty became a sensation in the early '90s, portraying the composed yet hot-tempered Brenda as the show captivated a generation.
Despite her success, Doherty's journey wasn't without turbulence. She gained a reputation for being challenging to work with on set, reportedly clashing with cast and crew, particularly co-star Jennie Garth. Her tumultuous relationships and off-screen dramas often overshadowed her on-screen achievements, turning her into both a celebrated and controversial figure in the media spotlight.
"She became almost a precursor to reality TV stars before reality TV became a phenomenon," remarked Robert Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University. "It was as though there were two versions of Shannen Doherty in the public eye, each with its own narrative."
Doherty departed from "Beverly Hills, 90210" after its fourth season, while many of the show's other main actors, including Garth, continued for six more seasons, marking the end of an era for her iconic role.
"In 2008, I told Entertainment Weekly that leaving '90210' when I did was the best thing that could have happened to me," Shannen Doherty shared. "It allowed me to find peace and discover who I truly am. The media portrayed me based on some tough personal experiences I was going through, struggling with relationships in the public eye. I wasn't handling it well, and I know that."
Following news of her passing, Doherty's co-star Jason Priestley expressed his sorrow on social media, describing her as "a force of nature" and expressing his sadness at her loss.
There were a few movie roles in the mid-90s, including in Kevin Smith’s “Mallrats,” but Shannen Doherty’s career didn’t quite soar as it had earlier. However, a turning point came when she reunited with “90210” producer Aaron Spelling for a leading role in the popular supernatural series “Charmed,” alongside Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs. Playing a witch reignited her career's spark, at least during her three-season tenure before departing once more before the show’s conclusion. She even directed three episodes during her time on the series.
Following news of Doherty’s passing, her “Charmed” co-star Milano released a statement, saying, “It’s well-known that Shannen and I had a complex relationship, but at the heart of it, I deeply respected and admired her. She was a talented actress, cherished by many, and the world is poorer without her. My condolences to all who loved her.”
In the early 2000s, Shannen Doherty transitioned through various short-lived television series before delving into reality TV with her own show, "Breaking Up With Shannen Doherty," where she assisted participants in ending toxic relationships.
Her personal life mirrored some of these struggles; she went through two divorces — first with Ashley Hamilton in 1994, followed by an annulment with Rick Salomon in 2002. Her third marriage, to photographer Kurt Iswarienko in 2011, ended with a divorce filing in April 2023.
However, as friends noted, Doherty found a sense of calm in her middle years. She revisited her iconic role of Brenda Walsh twice: in guest appearances on the 2008 reboot of "90210" and in the 2019 dramedy "BH90210," where the original cast portrayed fictionalized versions of themselves attempting to revive their past fame.
"She not only couldn't escape the gravity of that role but willingly returned to it," remarked Thompson, reflecting on Doherty's career choices.
Her passing marks the second major loss from the "Beverly Hills, 90210" cast, following Luke Perry's death in 2019 due to stroke complications.
Related Queries:
Shannen Doherty
shannon doherty
Charmed
90210
