Tributes have flooded the internet following the devastating news of Shannen Doherty’s death aged 53.
Her publicist confirmed today the star, who was best known for roles in TV series including Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed, had died after previously being diagnosed with breast cancer.
‘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,’ Doherty’s longtime publicist Leslie Sloane confirmed in a statement to People.
Following the announcement, a string of famous faces have offered their condolences to the late actress, with Sarah Michelle Gellar mourning their decades-long friendship on Instageam.
Alongside a post full of throwback photos, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer icon began: ‘How do you possibly find the right words to sum up 30 years of friendship? I keep reminding myself it only hurts this much because, there was so much love.
‘Thank you, for all your kind words and support. I love all the messages about how @theshando was important to you. So let’s honor her.
‘More than anything, Shan loves animals, especially dogs. In her memory let’s support our favorite animal charities. Whether that’s donating money, stopping by your local shelter and just offering cuddles and walks to animals housed there or even just tagging them in the comments so other people can learn about their work.’
She added: ‘I know that would make our girl happy (and illicit that deep throaty laugh we all loved).’
Gellar’s message comes after Rose McGowan posted a heartfelt video filled with pictures, dedicated to her former co-star.
Her caption read: ‘Shannen Doherty had the heart of a lion. Passion for craft is often mislabeled as trouble. Shannen was passion.
‘I met her in the 90s and was awed. Getting to really know her later in life, a beautiful gift. This woman fought to live.
‘Shannen knew how to be a star because she was one since childhood. Her work ethic inspiring to the end. Shannen’s great love for directing, for acting, Holly, her friends, her parents, dog and her beloved fans was legendary.
‘Our lives had been intertwined in a unique way. We laughed at dark forces who wanted us to hate each other, instead we chose love and respect. A soft-hearted badass as there ever was. A force of energy that will live forever in hearts.’
She concluded: ‘May angels and God carry her to the holy kingdom where she is healthy, young and wild forever. Rest now warrior, we will never forget you dear sister 🎭’
Oliva Munn also paid tribute, having shared earlier this year that she was breast cancer survivor and underwent a double mastectomy.
‘I am absolutely heartbroken over the passing of Shannen Doherty,’ she wrote.
‘We bonded through a shared battle and a desire to help other women. Looking back on the last text she sent me just a couple months ago, she asked how I was doing and if she could do anything for me… True to form, Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stage of fighting this horrific disease.
‘Cancer is really f***ing scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength and grace. I‘m sending all of my love to her mother who was her best friend, hero and champion every step of the way.’
Doherty’s 90210 co-star Jason Priestly also took to Instagram to express his ‘shock’.
Alongside an old photo, he penned: ‘Shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of my friend Shannen. She was a force of nature and I will miss her. Sending love and light to her family in this dark time.’
Late actress Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and entered remission two years later.
Her cancer returned as stage four in 2020, which she confirmed during an appearance on Good Morning America.
‘It’s going to come out in a matter of days or week that I am stage four. So my cancer came back and that’s why I am here,’ she said.
‘I don’t think I’ve processed it. It’s a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways. There’s definitely days when I say “Why me?”, and then I go, “Well, why not me, who else besides me deserves this?” None of us do.’
She later revealed that her breast cancer had spread to her brain and that it was terminal.
Doherty underwent surgery to remove the tumour and began radiation treatments.
She opened up about her diagnosis during an appearance at 90s Con. After receiving a standing ovation she said: ‘Thank you so much. You guys know how much I love crying constantly. And I do, it seems. So, thank you.’
Doherty was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1971 and began acting as a child.
By 11 years of age, Doherty had a recurring role in Little House on the Prairie as Jenny Wilder. In the series’ nine-year run, Doherty was only missing from four episodes.
As a teenager, she played Maggie in the teen musical/comedy Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1995) alongside actors Helen Hunt and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Although it originally received mixed reviews, the movie about a dance TV show now has a cult following. This was quickly followed up with another coming-of-age film – dark comedy Heathers (1989).
Things took off further for Doherty when she returned to TV and earned mainstream attention as Brenda Walsh in the popular Beverly Hills, 90210.
The series initially focused on Brenda and her family’s move from Minnesota to LA, and the culture shock provided inspiration for many of the storylines.
She was recognised by the Young Artist Awards and picked up a nomination for Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series. She left after four series, but her character continued to be mentioned for the remaining six.
For the reboot in 2008, she reprised the beloved character and is rumoured to have earned between $40,000 and $50,000 per episode (between £31,492 and £39,365).
She went back to Brenda once again for the six-episode sequel BH90210 in 2019.
One of her 90210 co-stars Brian Austin Green previously spoke of his admiration for Doherty.
‘Shannen is loved and she should be. She is a fighter,’ he began.
‘She’s been facing challenges over the last, gosh, decade now that are just, they’re difficult things.
‘And she 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, and she is, she’s an amazing person, and I think she’s an inspiration for people, she should be.’
Doherty’s talent also secured her a lead role in Charmed as Prue Halliwell, the oldest of three witch sisters. During her time on the series, she took on the job of directing. Her character was killed after three series in 2001.
Her last known project was the film Fortress, which also featured Jesse Metcalfe, Bruce Willis, and Chad Michael Murray.
Doherty married three times and recently joked about her divorce from her third husband, Kurt Iswarienko, 49, from whom she split after 11 years of marriage.
The animal rights activist said: ‘My other profession is getting engaged, married and divorced, and I’m doing that very well.’
Elsewhere, tributes have poured in on social media the actress since the news of her death.
‘RIP shannen doherty :( you will be very missed, thank you for playing such a monumental part in my childhood 🤍,’ a fan called Matt wrote on X.
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Frankee also shared: ‘Another one of my childhood heroes gone. Shannen Doherty left us way too soon. Thanks for the ever iconic Brenda Walsh & Prue Halliwell. 💔😢.’
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