Actress Shannen Doherty, famed for her roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed,” has passed away at age 53 after a nine-year battle with breast cancer. Her publicist, Leslie Sloane, confirmed her death, stating that Doherty died on Saturday, July 13, surrounded by loved ones and her dog, Bowie. The family requested privacy to grieve in peace.
Doherty gained a loyal following with roles in films like “Heathers” and TV series “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed.” First diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, the disease went into remission in 2017 but returned as stage 4 in 2020. She revealed in June 2023 that her cancer had spread to her brain. Doherty shared her cancer journey through her podcast, “Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty,” with the last episode airing on July 8.
In a June interview, Doherty discussed her determination to secure her financial future and ensure her mother’s well-being. Born in Memphis and raised in Los Angeles, Doherty began acting at age ten with a role on “Father Murphy.” She gained further recognition on “Little House on the Prairie” and later starred in “Our House,” “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” and “Heathers.”
Her role as Brenda Walsh in “Beverly Hills, 90210” propelled her to stardom. After leaving the show due to reported on-set tensions, she continued acting in films like “Almost Dead” and “Mallrats.” She later starred in “Charmed” alongside Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs but left after three years. Doherty reprised her role as Brenda in the CW reboot “90210” and appeared in “BH90210” and “Riverdale.”
In 2020, Doherty expressed gratitude for life’s small moments amid her cancer battle, emphasizing the importance of inner strength. Tributes from her costars, including Gabrielle Carteris, Jason Priestley, Brian Austin Green, and Rose McGowan, poured in, celebrating Doherty’s passion and resilience. Her friends remembered her as a force of nature with a kind heart and an unyielding spirit.
This article has been updated with contributions from CNN’s Nadeem Muaddi.