Shannen Doherty, famed for her role as Brenda Walsh on Fox's iconic teen drama "Beverly Hills, 90210," has passed away at the age of 53. Doherty's death follows a prolonged struggle with breast cancer, which resurfaced in 2020 after being in remission since 2017. She passed away on Saturday, July 13, as confirmed by her longtime publicist, Leslie Sloane.
Surrounded by her family and her beloved dog Bowie, Doherty's passing was marked by Sloane's statement: "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. The family asks for privacy during this time to grieve peacefully."
Doherty's "Charmed" co-star Alyssa Milano expressed her condolences, acknowledging their complex relationship but emphasizing her respect for Doherty. Milano stated, "It’s no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and admired. She was a talented actress, beloved by many, and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her."
Born on April 12, 1971, Doherty's career began as a child actor with roles on shows like "Father Murphy" and "Little House on the Prairie." She continued to build her resume with appearances on "Airwolf," "Highway to Heaven," "Life Goes On," "The New Leave It to Beaver," and "21 Jump Street," as well as a starring role in the drama "Our House."
Doherty also ventured into film with roles in "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Heathers." Her career reached new heights with "Beverly Hills, 90210," which premiered on October 4, 1990. The show's success, particularly the romance between Doherty's Brenda and Luke Perry's Dylan, made it a defining series of the '90s.
Despite her on-screen success, Doherty's off-screen reputation as a "bad girl" often made headlines, leading to her departure from "Beverly Hills, 90210" after four seasons. She later reunited with producer Aaron Spelling for the series "Charmed," playing Prue Halliwell. However, her time on the show was also marred by rumors of on-set conflicts, resulting in her exit after three seasons.
Doherty continued to work in television and film, appearing in the comedy "Mallrats" and the series "North Shore," and hosting "Scare Tactics." She reprised her role as Brenda in the "Beverly Hills, 90210" reboot and appeared in the 2019 series "BH90210."
In her personal life, Doherty was married three times, most recently to Kurt Iswarienko, from whom she filed for divorce in 2023. Her health struggles became public in 2015 when she announced her breast cancer diagnosis. After a period of remission, the cancer returned as stage 4 in 2020 and later spread to her brain.
Throughout her battle, Doherty remained open about her experiences, aiming to inspire others and raise awareness about cancer. She received the American Cancer Society’s Courage Award in 2016, stating that cancer had made her a better person by revealing who truly supported her.
In October 2021, Doherty shared her journey on social media, encouraging others to undergo regular screenings. She told People magazine, "I feel like I have a responsibility in my public life to talk about cancer and educate people more, showing that those with stage 4 are very much alive and active."
Shannen Doherty's legacy as an actress and her courageous fight against cancer will be remembered by fans and loved ones alike.