Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling Remember Shannen Doherty as “One of the Strongest People I Have Ever Known”
Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling have paid tribute to their former co-star Shannen Doherty after news broke of her death Saturday at age 53 following a long battle with cancer.
Garth posted a photo of the two of them together years ago. It looks like it was likely taken when both were starring together on Beverly Hills, 90210, in the 1990s, or around that time.
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Along with the photo, Garth wrote: “I am still processing my tremendous grief over the loss of my long time friend Shannen, the woman I have often described as one of the strongest people I have ever known. Our connection was real and honest.”
Garth also alluded to reports of on-set tension between her and Doherty, which she also has openly discussed in the past, admitting in 2019 on on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen that they got into an intense fight once where they “took it outside” over something “so stupid.” But it never turned into a physical fight, and the two reconciled and remained friends.
“We were so often pitted against each other, but none of that reflected the truth of our real relationship, which was one built on mutual respect and admiration,” Garth wrote. “She was courageous, passionate, determined and very loving and generous. I will miss her and will always honor her deeply in my heart and in my memories. My heart breaks for her family and Bowie and all the people who loved her. ??”
That last sentence was a reference to Doherty’s dog, Bowie, who was among those with the actress when she died.
Tori Spelling, who starred with Doherty on Beverly Hills, 90210, firsrt shared a recent photo of her and Doherty on her Instagram Stories, along with a series of broken heart emojis, writing, “I don’t have outward words yet… but WE knew and that’s what matters.”
She later wrote in an Instagram post, “Fuck them… is what Shan would say if I told her I felt pressure to have to summarize via social media a 36 year relationship and the grief I feel for a fire who’s flame went out too soon.”
Spelling remembered Doherty as “a rebel in an era when most women didn’t feel comfortable being strong. She never tried she just was. She empowered sexiness, strength, 2 fucks given, empathy, and all topped off with wicked humor! Her sardonic humor was one of my faves. And, no one made a frito pie like Shan!”
Spelling and Doherty had reunited earlier this year on Doherty’s podcast to recall a falling out that the two of them had while working on their classic ’90s series — but neither could remember the cause. “It’s like one minute, we were friends, and then one minute we weren’t,” said Doherty, who played Brenda Walsh on 90210. Spelling played Donna Martin (her father, Aaron Spelling, produced the show). Spelling added, “I think when I was young, it was whoever was the alpha more at the moment would sway me. And I think I couldn’t stand up for myself — I didn’t take ownership of anything. … But it’s like you said, have a fucking opinion about something. And I’m sure I did.”
Other former co-stars paying tribute to Doherty included Jason Priestley, Gabrielle Carteris, Carol Potter and Brian Austin Green (all of Beverly Hills, 90210) and Alyssa Milano (Charmed).
Jackie Strause contributed to this story.
11:50 a.m. Updated to include Spelling’s second post.
July 15, 7 a.m. Updated to include Spelling’s tribute.
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