Shannen Doherty, known for her roles in the TV series Charmed and Beverly Hills, 90210, passed away on Saturday at the age of 53. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, Doherty revealed last November that the disease had metastasized and spread to her bones.
“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,” Doherty’s publicist told People. “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.”
Doherty’s career took off in 1990 with her role as Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210, a series produced by Aaron Spelling that debuted to high ratings on Fox. Her portrayal, along with the rest of the cast, catapulted them to stardom.
However, tabloids often painted her as the “bad girl” of the series, reporting on her on-set rivalry with co-star Jennie Garth. Despite leaving after the fourth season, Doherty reprised her role in the 2008 reboot 90210 and returned again for the 2019 series BH90210.
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In 1999, Doherty starred alongside Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs in another Spelling-produced series, Charmed, playing one of three magical sisters. She directed three episodes of the show, but her exit after the third season was attributed to a longstanding feud with Milano. Reflecting on their tension in a 2021 Entertainment Tonight interview, Milano expressed regret and acknowledged her part in the conflict.
“I could take responsibility for a lot of our tension that we had. I think a lot of our struggle came from feeling that I was in competition [with her] rather than it being that sisterhood that the show was so much about. And I have some guilt about my part in that.”
In her 2010 autobiography Badass, Doherty discussed her “bad girl” image and the mistakes she made in her 20s, which she believed had negatively impacted her career. She expressed gratitude for the second chances she received.
One of Doherty’s final acting roles was in the 2021 Lifetime movies Dying to Belong and List of a Lifetime, the latter part of the network’s Stop Breast Cancer for Life program.
Born on April 12, 1971, in Memphis, Tennessee, Doherty began her career on the Michael Landon-produced Western TV drama Father Murphy in 1981. She later landed a role on Landon’s Little House: A New Beginning. In 1988, she gained fame for her role as Heather Duke in the black comedy Heathers, and in 1995, she co-starred in Kevin Smith’s comedy Mallrats.
Upon learning that Doherty’s cancer had spread to her brain last year, Kevin Smith praised her “indomitable Doherty spirit” on Instagram, calling her a fearless fighter.
In a 2020 Elle article, Doherty reflected on her battle with cancer and a wildfire that damaged her home, emphasizing the importance of cherishing small moments. “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,” she said.
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