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Writer's pictureTaylor Carey

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

Known for her roles on the popular series "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed," Shannen Doherty had taken television by storm. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, she lost her battle at 53 years old.



“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress, Shannen Doherty,” Doherty’s publicist Leslie Sloane said in a statement. “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 as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.”


Doherty gained prominence in 1990 by portraying the fresh-faced Brenda Walsh on Fox’s "Beverly Hills, 90210." Alongside her twin brother Brandon, played by Jason Priestley, the Walshes embodied the classic fish-out-of-water family.


(Aaron Spelling.)


After a stormy departure from "Beverly Hills, 90210," Doherty found success on "Charmed," a supernatural drama about three sisters who discover they are witches and must unite to combat evil. She played the eldest sister, Prue Halliwell, alongside Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs. In 2000 and 2001, Doherty directed three episodes of the series: "Be Careful What You Witch For," "The Good, The Bad, and The Cursed," and "All Hell Breaks Loose," which was her final appearance. Her character was written off when she left the series at the end of the third season.


Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Doherty moved to Los Angeles with her family as a child and began her acting career at age 10 with a role in the series "Father Murphy." Michael Landon noticed her performance and cast her as Jenny Wilder in "Little House on the Prairie" when she was only 11 years old. Doherty later had a recurring role on the family series "Our House" with Wilfred Brimley. In feature films, she appeared in the teen classic "Heathers," as well as "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," Kevin Smith’s "Mallrats," and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back."


Additionally, she appeared in other shows such as "North Shore" and "Riverdale," as well as numerous TV movies.


(Michael Tran. Getty Images.)


Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2015 and announced she was in remission in 2017. However, by 2019, the cancer had returned and spread. Despite this, she continued working, taking on roles in TV movies such as “Dying to Belong” and “List of a Lifetime.” Doherty also hosted a popular podcast, “Let’s Be Clear With Shannen Doherty,” where she discussed her career and candidly shared how breast cancer had affected her life.


In June 2023, Doherty stated she had been receiving radiation for cancer that had spread to her brain. She was briefly married to George Hamilton’s son Ashley Hamilton and poker player Rick Salomon, and in 2011 she married photographer Kurt Iswarienko. They filed for divorce in 2023.


Shannen's legacy and contribution will always be remembered by family, friends, former co-stars and all who were touched by her work throughout the years.




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