Shannen Doherty, beloved star of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” has passed away at the age of 53 following a courageous nine-year battle with breast cancer.
“With a heavy heart, I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty,” her publicist, Leslie Sloane, told People. “She was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, surrounded by loved ones and her dog, Bowie. The family requests privacy during this time to grieve in peace,” Sloane added.
Doherty openly shared her fight with breast cancer, first announcing her diagnosis in 2015. By 2023, she had undergone surgery to remove a brain tumor and revealed that the cancer had metastasized to her bones. Known for her role in the cult classic film “Heathers,” Doherty became widely popular as Brenda Walsh on “90210,” portraying an honor roll student from Minnesota trying to fit in with her affluent classmates.
In November 2023, speaking about her diagnosis, Doherty told People, “I’m not done with living. I’m not done with loving. I’m not done with creating. I’m not done with hopefully changing things for the better. I’m just not — I’m not done.”
Despite her health struggles, Doherty was determined to continue working. “People just assume that it means you can’t walk, you can’t eat, you can’t work. They put you out to pasture at a very early age — ‘You’re done, you’re retired,’ and we’re not,” she said. “We’re vibrant, and we have such a different outlook on life. We are people who want to work and embrace life and keep moving forward.”
Throughout her battle, Doherty remained a symbol of resilience and courage. The “Charmed” star aimed to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, demonstrating that individuals with terminal cancer still have much to contribute. “When you ask yourself, ‘Why me? Why did I get cancer?’ and then ‘Why did my cancer come back? Why am I stage 4?,’ that leads you to look for the bigger purpose in life,” she reflected.
Doherty maintained a steady career and even ventured into reality television with shows like “Breaking Up with Shannen Doherty” and as a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars.” In 2019, she joined the TV reboot of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” reprising her iconic role of Brenda Walsh. Despite her diagnosis, she kept it hidden from the cast following the unexpected death of her co-star Luke Perry in March 2019 at the age of 52.
Doherty’s career began as a child star on the TV series “Little House on the Prairie.” Recently, she explored podcasting with her own show, “Let’s Be Clear,” with the latest episode released on July 8.
We are deeply saddened by this devastating loss. May Shannen Doherty rest in peace.
