Shannen Doherty, Star of ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ and ‘Charmed,’ Dies at 53

Shannen Doherty, the acclaimed actress best known for her roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210″ and “Charmed,” has passed away at the age of 53 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, Doherty publicly documented her challenging journey. She shared a photo in December 2016 from her first day of radiotherapy, describing the treatment as “frightening.” Despite a period of remission, she revealed in February 2020 that the cancer had returned to stage four, the most advanced stage.

Shannen Doherty with her Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Jason Priestley in 1991. Pic: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/IPX via AP

Last year, Doherty underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour and later disclosed that the disease had spread to her bones.

“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty,” her publicist, Leslie Sloane, announced to Sky News.

“On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease. The devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was surrounded by her loved ones and her dog, Bowie.”

Doherty first gained widespread recognition for her role as Brenda Walsh on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” which debuted in 1990.

Doherty at a Stand Up To Cancer fundraising event in Los Angeles 2016. Pic: Reuters

Brenda, a student from Minnesota navigating the social dynamics of a wealthy LA neighbourhood, became an iconic character of the early ’90s. Doherty left the show in 1994 during its fourth season but returned to reprise her role in the 2008 and 2019 reboots.

In 1998, Doherty was cast by Aaron Spelling in “Charmed,” where she played Prue Halliwell, the eldest of three magical sisters.

Despite the show’s success, Doherty’s tenure was marked by reported behind-the-scenes turmoil. Known as the “iconic ‘bad girl’ of the 90s” by People magazine, she developed a reputation for partying, arriving late on set, and feuding with colleagues.

Doherty’s personal life also saw its share of controversies. In 1997, she was sentenced to anger-management counselling after allegedly smashing a beer bottle on a man’s windshield. In 2001, she pleaded no contest to a drink-driving charge and was sentenced to a work-release program.

Reflecting on her past behaviour, Doherty took “full responsibility” for her actions in her podcast, “Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty,” admitting that she often got “a little carried away” in her early 20s. She also revealed that her outspoken nature frequently put her at odds with the predominantly male industry leadership but emphasized that she learned to communicate more diplomatically over time.

Aaron Spelling, who passed away in 2006, acknowledged their conflicts but downplayed their significance, stating, “Everything Shannen did was blown out of proportion by the rag sheets.”

Doherty began her acting career as a child in Memphis, Tennessee, before moving to Los Angeles with her family at age seven. At 11, she played Jenny Wilder in the final season of “Little House on the Prairie.” She credited her parents for their unwavering support, stating in a 1994 interview that acting was “completely my decision.”

Doherty was married three times, most recently to photographer Kurt Iswarienko, from whom she filed for divorce last year.

The entertainment industry and fans mourn the loss of a talented actress whose career and personal life left an indelible mark on American television.

Sola Adeniji

News Reporter, Freelancer, and content creator

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