Shannen Doherty, beloved actress known for her roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed,” has passed away at the age of 53. Doherty succumbed to her long battle with breast cancer on Saturday, July 13, as confirmed by her publicist, Leslie Sloane, in a statement on Sunday.
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty,” Sloane said. “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 was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and endured a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Despite her illness, she showed remarkable resilience and determination. Reflecting on her health struggles during her podcast in December 2023, Doherty shared, “When I dropped down to 92 pounds from chemo and was incredibly dehydrated, I had to still get out of bed. My husband at the time, Kurt Iswarienko, was sort of begging me to keep going, and my mom was literally trying to pick me up out of bed and get me to the doctor. … At that point in time, I thought that I wouldn’t survive it.”
After announcing she was in remission in 2017, Doherty revealed in February 2020 that she was battling Stage 4 breast cancer. In a virtual appearance on “Good Morning America” in October 2021, she expressed her determination to live, stating, “I never want to operate [like I’m dying].”
By November 2023, Doherty disclosed that her Stage 4 breast cancer had spread to her bones, having previously metastasized to her brain. In a heartfelt interview with People magazine, she said, “I don’t want to die. I’m not done with living. I’m not done with loving. I’m not done with creating. I’m not done with hopefully changing things for the better. I’m just not — I’m not done.”
Adding to her personal trials, Doherty revealed that she learned her ex-husband, Kurt Iswarienko, had been unfaithful just hours before she underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor she named Bob. “Bob had to get removed and dissected to see his pathology, and then I had to do some more brain radiation,” she told the magazine. “It’s been a journey. Definitely one of the scariest things I’ve ever been through in my entire life.”
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 12, 1971, Doherty began her acting career in the early 1980s with roles in “Father Murphy” and “Voyagers!” She gained prominence as Jenny Wilder on “Little House on the Prairie” and as Heather Duke in the 1988 black comedy “Heathers.”
Doherty’s breakout role came with her four-season stint on FOX’s “Beverly Hills, 90210,” where she portrayed Brenda Walsh, a Minnesota teen navigating life in Beverly Hills. Despite her success, Doherty admitted in 2000 that fame came at a high personal cost, describing the experience as a significant sacrifice during a time when she was trying to grow up and find her spiritual path.
Tori Spelling, Doherty’s co-star on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” revealed in 2015 that her involvement in getting Doherty fired from the show in 1994 was due to tensions on set. Despite this, Spelling acknowledged that Doherty was one of the best friends she ever had.
Shannen Doherty’s life and career were marked by her strength, talent, and resilience. She leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable performances and an indomitable spirit.
