LOS ANGELES, USA — Shannen Doherty, the actress known for her iconic roles on “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed,” has passed away at the age of 53 after a prolonged battle with breast cancer.
The news was confirmed by her longtime publicist, Leslie Sloane on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease,” Sloane said in a statement.
“The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.”
The news of Doherty’s passing was first reported by People magazine.
Doherty garnered a dedicated fan base with her roles in the 1989 cult classic film “Heathers” as Heather Duke, as Brenda Walsh in the hit series “Beverly Hills, 90210” from 1990 to 1994 and its spinoff “90210,” and as Prue Halliwell in “Charmed” from 1998 to 2001.
Her battle with breast cancer began in 2015 when she was first diagnosed. After a period of remission in 2017, the cancer returned and progressed to stage 4 in 2020. In June 2023, Doherty revealed that her cancer had metastasized to her brain.
Throughout her illness, Doherty was transparent about her journey, sharing her experiences on her podcast, “Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty.” The latest episode was streamed on July 8, 2024.
Despite the incurable nature of her cancer, Doherty maintained a pragmatic outlook on her life and future.
“I guess I’m in a mindset now of I need to make as much money as humanly possible in the next two years, bank it, put it with my investment place, build that so that A., I don’t have to work and I only work when I really want to,” she said earlier this month.
“I can also go on a lot more vacations. Then also when I pass away my mom’s got a nice little nest egg and I don’t have to worry about her.”
Rise to Fame
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Doherty’s family relocated to Los Angeles during her childhood, where she quickly developed an interest in acting. She made her acting debut at age ten in the television series “Father Murphy.”
Her early performance caught the attention of legendary actor Michael Landon, leading to her role as Jenny Wilder on “Little House on the Prairie.”
Doherty continued to build her career with roles in the series “Our House,” the 1985 film “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” and the dark teenage comedy “Heathers” in 1988.
Her breakthrough role came in 1990 when she was cast as Brenda Walsh on Aaron Spelling’s “Beverly Hills, 90210.”
The show’s immense popularity turned her into a household name, particularly for her on-screen chemistry with co-star Luke Perry, who played her love interest, Dylan McKay.
Doherty left the show after four seasons amid reports of on-set tensions with castmates.
She continued her career with roles in the 1994 film “Almost Dead” and the 1995 film “Mallrats.” In 1998, she reunited with Spelling for the series “Charmed,” where she starred alongside Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs as one of three sisters who are witches.
Doherty left “Charmed” after three years and later appeared in various projects, including “The Rendering” in 2002 and “View of Terror” in 2003.
In 2008, Doherty reprised her role as Brenda Walsh in the CW reboot “90210” for seven episodes.
She also played herself in the meta-style reboot “BH90210” in 2019 and made a cameo appearance on the CW’s “Riverdale” in honour of her former co-star Perry, who had passed away earlier that year.
In a September 2020 interview with Elle Magazine, Doherty reflected on her experience with cancer and the gratitude she felt.
“I try to treasure all the small moments that most people don’t really see or take for granted,” she said.
“The small things are magnified for me. We have this endless well within us, and it’s just about continuing to dig in that well for the strength to face adversity – and so that we can also see all the beauty.”
Shannen Doherty’s enduring legacy is marked by her memorable roles and her candidness about her health struggles, inspiring many with her strength and resilience.
