Shannen Doherty Dies at 53: A Battle Against Cancer
Shannen Doherty, the raven-haired actress known for her roles in iconic TV series such as “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed,” passed away at her Malibu home on Saturday, July 13, 2024. She was 53 years old. Doherty’s death marks the end of a nearly decade-long battle with breast cancer, which had returned with greater severity in recent years.
Shannen Doherty first revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in February 2015. The actress was open about her struggle, often sharing updates with her fans and followers. In the summer of 2016, Doherty made headlines when she publicly shaved her head, surrounded by supportive friends. By 2017, there was a glimmer of hope as she announced that her cancer was in remission. Unfortunately, the remission was short-lived. The cancer returned in 2020, and by June 2023, Doherty revealed that it had spread to her brain and later to her bones.
In her final months, Doherty’s determination to live life fully was evident. “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,” she told People magazine.
Born on April 12, 1971, in Memphis, Tennessee, Shannen Maria Doherty was the daughter of John Doherty Jr., a mortgage consultant, and Rosa Doherty, a beautician. By the age of 10, Doherty had established herself as a child actress, appearing as Jenny Wilder in the beloved series “Little House on the Prairie” and acting alongside Wilford Brimley and Deidre Hall in “Our House.”
Doherty’s breakout role came in 1988 when she portrayed the acid-tongued, red-scrunchy-wearing Heather Duke in the dark comedy “Heathers.” However, it was her role as Brenda Walsh in “Beverly Hills, 90210” that catapulted her to stardom in the early 1990s. The show, a cultural phenomenon, made Doherty a household name. Despite her success, Doherty developed a reputation for being difficult to work with, often clashing with co-stars and crew members.
In the late 1990s, Doherty found renewed success with “Charmed,” a supernatural drama where she played the role of Prue Halliwell, a witch, alongside Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs. Her tenure on the show was marked by off-screen drama, particularly with co-star Milano, but it remains one of her most memorable roles. After three seasons, Doherty left “Charmed” but continued to work in television and film.
Doherty’s personal life was as tumultuous as her career. She was married three times, with her third marriage to photographer Kurt Iswarienko ending in divorce in April 2023. Friends and colleagues noted that Doherty had mellowed with age, and she often spoke candidly about her life, career, and health struggles.
Doherty’s co-star from “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Jason Priestley, expressed his sorrow at her passing, calling her “a force of nature” who would be missed. Alyssa Milano, despite their complicated history, paid tribute to Doherty, stating, “She was a talented actress, beloved by many, and the world is less without her.”