Shannen Doherty, the beloved actress known for her roles in "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed," passed away at the age of 53 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Doherty's longtime publicist, Leslie Sloane, confirmed her death in a statement on Sunday, expressing the family's desire for privacy as they grieve. "The devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie," Sloane said.
Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and candidly shared her journey with the disease. In November 2023, she spoke to PEOPLE about her Stage 4 cancer, which had spread to her bones. "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," Doherty declared, reflecting her enduring spirit and determination to make a difference.
After initially going into remission in 2017, Doherty's cancer returned in 2019. She publicly announced her diagnosis of metastatic Stage 4 cancer in 2020 and revealed in June 2023 that the cancer had spread to her brain. Despite undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor earlier that year, Doherty remained resilient and continued to work and raise awareness about cancer.
In her final months, Doherty used her platform to highlight the challenges faced by those living with terminal cancer. She aimed to demonstrate that individuals with such diagnoses still have much to contribute. "We're vibrant, and we have such a different outlook on life. We are people who want to work and embrace life and keep moving forward," she told PEOPLE.
Doherty's battle with cancer brought a heightened awareness of life's preciousness. "I know it sounds cheesy and crazy, but you're just more aware of everything, and you feel so blessed. We're the people who want to work the most, because we're just so grateful for every second, every hour, every day we get to be here," she shared.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Doherty's family moved to Los Angeles when she was a child, where she quickly found her calling in acting. She made her debut at age ten with a role on the television series "Father Murphy," catching the eye of Michael Landon and securing a role on "Little House on the Prairie."
Doherty rose to fame as Brenda Walsh on "Beverly Hills, 90210," which premiered in 1990. Her portrayal of the feisty high school student made her a household name. She left the show after four seasons but returned to television with another iconic role as Prue Halliwell in "Charmed." Doherty continued to work steadily in film and television, including a stint on "Dancing with the Stars" and a 2019 revival of "90210."
Despite her health challenges, Doherty remained committed to her work and her fans. Her "90210" costar, Brian Austin Green, praised her resilience and positive outlook. "Shannen is absolutely leading by example and showing people that even in the toughest of times, you can keep your head up and you can be a good person," he told PEOPLE. "She's an amazing person and an inspiration."
Doherty's openness about her illness resonated with many, and she became a symbol of strength and perseverance. "When you ask yourself, 'Why me? Why did I get cancer?' and then 'Why did my cancer come back? Why am I stage 4?,' that leads you to look for the bigger purpose in life," she reflected.
As news of her passing spread, tributes poured in from her colleagues and fans. Gabrielle Carteris, who starred with Doherty on "90210," expressed her sadness on Instagram, writing, "So young - so sad. May you RIP Shannon. I know Luke is there with open arms to love you." Jason Priestley, another "90210" co-star, described her as "a force of nature" and said he would miss her deeply.
Doherty's impact extended beyond her acting career. Her candid discussions about her health challenges and her advocacy for cancer awareness left a lasting legacy. As Rose McGowan, Doherty's "Charmed" costar, noted, "Shannen was passion. A soft-hearted badass as there ever was. A force of energy that will live forever in hearts."
In her final interview with PEOPLE, Doherty expressed her love of life and gratitude for her family, friends, and dog. "My greatest memory is yet to come," she said. "I pray. I wake up and go to bed thanking God, praying for the things that matter to me without asking for too much. It connects me to a higher power and spirituality. My faith is my mantra."
