Shannen Doherty Passed Away At 53

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Shannen Doherty has passed away at the age of 53, People has confirmed. 

“The Beverly Hills 90210” star had been living with breast cancer on and off since 2015.

“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,”Leslie Sloane Shannen’s publist confirmed to People on July 14.

“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,” Sloane said.

Shannen Maria Doherty, born on April 12, 1971, in Memphis, Tennessee, was known as a versatile American actress, producer, and television director. She began her career at a young age.

Doherty’s big break came with her role as Brenda Walsh in the iconic television series “Beverly Hills, 90210,” which aired from 1990 to 1994. Her portrayal of Brenda, a Midwestern girl navigating the affluent and dramatic world of Beverly Hills, was popular with audiences and made her a household name. Despite the show’s success, Doherty’s time on “Beverly Hills, 90210” was marked by off-screen controversies, including reports of fights with co-stars and on-set conflicts. These issues led to her departure from the show after four seasons.

Following her exit from “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Doherty continued to build her career, taking on a variety of roles in film and television. She starred in movies such as “Mallrats” (1995) and “Striking Poses” (1999), showing her range as an actress. However, it was her return to television that made her status as a TV star.

In 1998, Doherty joined the cast of the supernatural drama “Charmed,” playing Prue Halliwell. She played the eldest of three sisters who discover they are powerful witches. The show was a success and had many loyal fans. Doherty’s performance as the strong and protective Prue was widely praised. However, like ‘90210’ there were reports of conflict on and off set. Shannen left after three seasons.

Beyond her acting career, Doherty has ventured into producing and directing. She produced and starred in the reality TV series “Breaking Up with Shannen Doherty” (2006), where she helped people end toxic relationships. Additionally, she participated in other reality TV projects, such as “Dancing with the Stars” and “Shannen Says.”  This show shared her preparations for her wedding to photographer Kurt Iswarienko in 2011.

In 2015, Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer, a battle she shared with the public. Her openness about her diagnosis, treatment, and the emotional and physical challenges of the disease provided immense support and raised awareness about breast cancer. Despite periods of remission, Doherty announced in 2020 that her cancer had returned and progressed to stage IV. Her resilience and determination in facing her illness have been an inspiration to many.

Rest in Peace