‘90210’ Actress Shannen Doherty Dies at 53, Reports People Magazine

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Shannen Doherty, the beloved American actor best known for her role as Brenda Walsh on the hit 1990s television drama “Beverly Hills, 90210,” has passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer, People magazine reported on Sunday. She was 53 years old.

“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,” the magazine cited Doherty’s publicist Leslie Sloane as saying.

Doherty had been transparent about her struggle with breast cancer, revealing in 2015 that she was undergoing treatment. In 2023, she had a brain tumor removed and disclosed that the cancer had metastasized to her bones.

The actress, who first gained recognition with her role in the movie “Heathers,” became extremely popular for her portrayal of Brenda on “90210.” Her character was an honor roll student from Minnesota grappling with fitting into the affluent locale of Beverly Hills.

Brenda’s storyline included a memorable love triangle with Dylan McKay, played by Luke Perry, and Kelly Taylor, portrayed by Jennie Garth. In real life, Doherty had disputes with Garth and other cast members, ultimately leaving “90210” during its fourth season in 1994. The series continued without her until 2000.

In 1998, producer Aaron Spelling cast Doherty in the supernatural series “Charmed” as Prue Halliwell, the eldest of three magical sisters. The show achieved significant success despite rumors of behind-the-scenes drama.

People magazine referred to Doherty as “the iconic ‘bad girl’ of the nineties,” highlighting her reputation for partying, arriving late to sets, and feuding with colleagues and superiors.

In 2023, Doherty addressed her past behaviors on the podcast “Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty,” accepting “full responsibility” for her actions and admitting that her behavior “would get a little carried away” during her early twenties.

She also discussed her assertiveness in the industry, saying she often voiced her opinions about scripts to Spelling and others. “I was raised to have an opinion, and that my opinion should be valued, so I just kept on pressing up against that machine, up against men who didn’t really want to hear my opinion,” said Doherty on the podcast.

Eventually, Doherty learned “the simple art of diplomacy” and realized there were “nicer ways” to express her thoughts.

The actress reprised her role as Brenda in “90210” reboots in both 2008 and 2019, also noting that she and Garth reconciled their differences as they matured.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 12, 1971, Doherty began acting as a child. At the age of 11, she played Jenny Wilder in the final season of the TV classic “Little House on the Prairie.”

In 1988, she was cast in the dark comedy film “Heathers,” which later achieved cult status.

Doherty was married three times, with her most recent marriage to photographer Kurt Iswarienko. She filed for divorce from him in 2023.

Source: People, Reuters