Shannen Doherty, 'Beverly Hills, 90210' Star, Dead at 53
Shannen Doherty, the actress best known for her roles in Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed, has died. She was 53 years old.
The news was announced by her longtime publicist Leslie Sloane, who shared a statement with People saying, "It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. 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," the statement continued.
Doherty, a seasoned actor in both the film and television industries, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. After undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, she went into remission by 2017. Her cancer later returned as Stage 4, which she announced during a 2020 appearance on Good Morning America.
She continued to work after her second diagnosis, though she kept it secret while filming the 90210 reboot, BH90210, which aired in 2019.
Doherty also went on to appear in a series of other programs despite her health complications, including several Lifetime projects. In 2019, she appeared in an episode of the CW's Riverdale, which formerly starred her late friend and fellow 90210 alum Luke Perry before his death earlier that year.
thank you shannen doherty for having played one of my favorite characters of all time you and prue halliwell will always be remembered <3 pic.twitter.com/2josbkcI4k
— sarah?? (@MILEY0NCE) July 14, 2024
Doherty later provided an emotional update on her cancer journey in June 2023, after getting CT scan results in January that showed mets had developed on her brain—meaning her breast cancer had metastasized, or spread.
As a result of the CT scan results, Doherty underwent surgery on Jan. 16, 2023, to remove a tumor in her head, taking to Instagram to show off the vulnerable moments before she headed into the operating room.
"I am clearly trying to be brave but I am petrified," she told her fans in the Instagram post, shared months later in June 2023. "The fear was overwhelming to me. Scared of all possible bad outcomes, worried about leaving my mom and how that would impact her. Worried that I would come out of surgery not me anymore."
"This is what cancer can look like," she candidly stated at the time.
Fans have long applauded Doherty's transparency with her cancer battle, including one fan who commented on her Instagram post at the time to call her "truly a warrior!"
"You're brave and amazing to share such a private moment so others can learn, understand and send you positive vibes too," someone else added.
Doherty is survived by her brother, Sean Doherty, and her mother, Rosa Elizabeth Doherty.
