Shannen Doherty, renowned for her role in “Beverly Hills, 90210,” passed away at the age of 53 after a prolonged battle with breast cancer. Her publicist, Leslie Sloane, confirmed her death on Saturday. In a statement, Sloane mentioned that Doherty was surrounded by her loved ones, including her dog, Bowie, and requested privacy for the family during this difficult time.
Doherty’s struggle with cancer became public in 2015 when she filed a lawsuit against her former business managers, accusing them of mismanaging her finances and allowing her health insurance to lapse. This lapse led to a delay in her diagnosis and treatment. Doherty candidly shared her journey through treatment, including a single mastectomy, and frequently posted updates on social media, including a poignant photo of her first day of radiation treatment in December 2016.
In February 2020, Doherty revealed that her cancer had returned and progressed to Stage 4. She decided to disclose this information because her health condition could have become public during a court case involving an insurance claim against State Farm, following damage to her home in a 2018 fire.
On her podcast “Let’s Be Clear,” Doherty spoke about the uncertainty of her treatment and the hope brought by new medical protocols, despite the challenges and fear associated with her ongoing chemotherapy.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Doherty moved to Los Angeles at the age of seven and soon embarked on her acting career. Her early roles included appearances on “Little House on the Prairie” and films such as “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and “Heathers.” Doherty’s breakthrough came in 1990 with her role as Brenda Walsh in the popular series “Beverly Hills, 90210,” where she portrayed a Midwestern teenager navigating life in the affluent Beverly Hills.
Despite her success, Doherty faced intense media scrutiny and publicized personal struggles, including a brief marriage to Ashley Hamilton and a second marriage to Rick Salomon, which was annulled within a year. In 2011, she married photographer Kurt Iswarienko, and they were in the process of divorcing at the time of her passing.
Doherty’s time on “Beverly Hills, 90210” ended in 1994 amid reports of conflicts with co-stars and chronic lateness. However, she described her life as peaceful in a 1994 interview, downplaying the media’s portrayal of her.
In 1997, Doherty was ordered to undergo anger-management counseling after an incident involving a smashed beer bottle. She also faced legal issues following a 2001 arrest for drunken driving.
Doherty reunited with producer Aaron Spelling in 1998 for the series “Charmed,” where she played Prue Halliwell. She acknowledged her past mistakes and expressed regret over her earlier behavior. Spelling, who passed away in 2006, commented that their relationship had been exaggerated by the media.
After leaving “Charmed” in 2001, Doherty continued to act in various projects, including the “90210” sequel series and a stint on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2010. She also appeared in the 2019 reboot “BH90210,” which reunited the original cast.
Throughout her career, Doherty faced challenges in maintaining her early success but remained active in both film and television. She openly discussed the impact of cancer on her life and became an advocate for cancer awareness and care. In a 2021 interview, she reflected on how her illness had reshaped her outlook on life, emphasizing her desire to avoid negativity and focus on meaningful experiences.
