‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ Star Shannen Doherty Dies at 53

Shannen Doherty, the beloved star of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” has passed away at the age of 53. The news was confirmed by her publicist, Leslie Sloane, who mentioned that Doherty died on Saturday after a long struggle with breast cancer.

“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,” wrote Sloane. The news was initially reported by People magazine.

Doherty’s battle with cancer came to public attention in 2015 when she filed a lawsuit against her former business managers, accusing them of mishandling her funds and allowing her health insurance to lapse. She openly shared her experiences with treatment, including her first day of radiation in December 2016, describing it as “frightening.”

In February 2020, Doherty revealed that her cancer had returned and had progressed to stage four. She decided to go public due to potential disclosures about her health conditions during court proceedings related to a lawsuit against State Farm, following damage to her California home in a 2018 fire.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Doherty moved to Los Angeles with her family at the age of seven and quickly delved into acting. She began her career with steady roles in TV series like “Little House on the Prairie,” where she played Jenny Wilder, and teen movies such as “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and “Heathers.”

In 1990, Doherty’s big break came with the role of Brenda Walsh in “Beverly Hills, 90210,” produced by Aaron Spelling. She portrayed Brenda as a Midwesterner adjusting to life in upscale Beverly Hills alongside her twin brother Brandon, played by Jason Priestley. Her newfound fame, however, came with intense media scrutiny regarding her personal life.

Rumors of outbursts, drinking, and impulsive behavior followed her, and she briefly married George Hamilton’s son before the marriage was annulled. Her second marriage to Rick Salomon was also short-lived. In 2011, Doherty married photographer Kurt Iswarienko, though she filed for divorce in April 2023.

Doherty left “90210” in 1994 amid reports of conflicts with co-stars and persistent tardiness. Despite the controversies, she told the Associated Press in 1994 that her life was calm, joking about the mundane nature of tabloid stories about her.

Her legal troubles included being sentenced to anger-management counseling in 1997 and a no-contest plea to a 2001 DUI charge. She reunited with Spelling in 1998 for the TV series “Charmed,” where she played Prue Halliwell. Reflecting on her past in an interview, Doherty acknowledged her role in her troubled reputation, stating that she had been growing up and learning from her experiences.

In the late ’90s and early 2000s, Doherty worked on various projects, including movies like “Mallrats” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.” She also appeared in TV films like “A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell Story.” Her career saw a mix of highs and lows, with notable participation in reality shows and reunion series like “Dancing with the Stars” and “BH90210,” a 2019 meta reboot of “Beverly Hills, 90210.”

Despite attempts to recreate her “90210” fame, Doherty remained a recognizable figure in Hollywood. Her candidness about her battle with cancer provided inspiration and insight into the challenges she faced. In an interview with “Entertainment Tonight” in August 2016, she spoke about the fear of the unknown and the impact on her loved ones.

“The unknown is always the scariest part,” she said. “Is the chemo going to work? Is the radiation going to work? Pain is manageable; living without a breast is manageable. It’s the worry about your future and how it will affect the people you love.”

Doherty’s resilience and openness about her health struggles helped shed light on the personal battles many face in similar situations. Her legacy in television and film, as well as her bravery in the face of illness, will be remembered by fans and peers alike.

Source: People Magazine, Entertainment Tonight