Brian Austin Green, ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ cast honor ‘sister’ Shannen Doherty after death: Luke Perry ‘is there with open arms’
Shannen Doherty was a cherished member of the “Beverly Hills, 90210” family.
After Doherty died of cancer on Saturday at the age of 53, the cast of the hit teen drama series remembered their late co-star on social media.
Brian Austin Green, Jennie Garth, Jason Priestley, Tori Spelling and Gabrielle Carteris were among the stars who shared emotional statements in Doherty’s honor.
Doherty starred on the Fox show as Brenda Walsh, a brunette teen thespian trying to find her place in blonde Beverly Hills after moving from Minnesota with her family.
She left the show after Season 4 in 1994.
Co-star Tori Spelling later revealed she played a part in getting Doherty fired. She said in 2015 she went to her dad Aaron Spelling, who co-created and executive produced the show, and told him that Doherty wasn’t getting along with co-star Jennie Garth.
In 2000, Doherty told Entertainment Weekly that the show was “too large” of a “sacrifice” at the time.
“The sacrifice of a camera pointed in my face 24 hours a day while I was desperately trying to grow up, to figure out my spirituality, to figure out my boyfriends. I mean, I was a teenager,” she recalled.
Doherty later reunited with most of her cast members for the 2019 parody show “BH90210.”
That same year, Luke Perry, who played Doherty’s on-screen love interest, Dylan McKay, on the show, died from a stroke at the age of 52.
Doherty got emotional talking about Perry’s death at a “Beverly Hills, 90210” panel at MegaCon Orlando in February.
“It was shocking,” she said. “I have a very visceral reaction whenever someone brings up Luke because as someone with cancer — and a really horrible cancer at stage 4 — I thought I would be the first to go. So when it was Luke, it really just sent me for a tailspin.”
After Doherty’s passing, the “Beverly Hills, 90210” cast honored the beloved actress on social media.
See their tributes below.
Brian Austin Green
Green, who played David Silver, called Doherty his “sister” in a message on his Instagram Story.
“You loved me through everything. You were a big part of my understanding of love. I’ll miss you more than I know how to process right now. Thank you for the gift of you,” he wrote.
Jason Priestley
Priestley, who played Doherty’s on-screen twin brother, Brandon Walsh, posted an Instagram tribute to her.
“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,” Priestley’s post said.
Gabrielle Carteris
Carteris, who portrayed Andrea Zuckerman, honored Doherty on Instagram as well.
“So young – so sad. May you RIP Shannen. I know Luke is there with open arms to love you,” Carteris, 63, wrote.
Jennie Garth
Garth, who played Kelly Taylor, remembered the friendship she had with Doherty in an Instagram post.
“I am still processing my tremendous grief over the loss of my long time friend Shannen, the woman I have often described as one of the strongest people I have ever known,” she wrote. “Our connection was real and honest. We were so often pitted against each other but none of that reflected the truth of our real relationship which was one built on mutual respect and admiration. She was courageous, passionate, determined and very loving and generous. I will miss her and will always honor her deeply in my heart and in my memories. My heart breaks for her family and Bowie and all the people who loved her.”
Tori Spelling
Spelling, who played Donna Martin, shared a selfie with Doherty on her Instagram Story, alongside a brief message.
“I don’t have outward words yet, but WE knew and that’s what matters,” Spelling wrote, alongside four and a half rows of broken-heart emojis.
Spelling shared a longer Instagram tribute to Doherty with photos of the pair from over the years.
“F–k them… is what Shan would say if I told her I felt pressure to have to summarize via social media a 36 year relationship and the grief I feel for a fire who’s flame went out too soon,” she began her tribute. “I was 15 when Shan and I met. I was the boss’s daughter with no voice and she was the star with a big voice. She took me under her wing. She gave me the belief I had a voice and was worthy.”
“We became fast best friends. We were each others wing women, true confidantes, support systems navigating bad relationships, roomates of sorts at times, travel buddies, and so much more. She always stuck up for me. Always had my back. Always believed in me when I didn’t or couldn’t believe in myself. We were young. We let a lot of outside and inside influences influence our friendship. In a world where we often don’t get to make up with the childhood friendships that formed so much of the adult you become, we got that chance.”
Spelling continued: “I’m grateful @theshando and I got to go back in time as adult friends and remember why we truly loved each other to begin with. To reminisce. And, to iconically laugh again like we used to. No one could make me laugh like that. Core laughs! She was a rebel in an era when most women didn’t feel comfortable being strong. She never tried she just was. She empowered sexiness, strength, 2 f–ks given, empathy, and all topped off with wicked humor! Her sardonic humor was one of my faves. And, no one made a frito pie like Shan!”
“Shan… I’ll carry the torch on. Take on my power! And, I’ll stay rebellious for you. Love you with all my heart. Always. 🖤💔,” she concluded her post.
Mark Espinoza
Mark Espinoza, who played Carteris’ on-screen husband, Jesse Vasquez, posted an emotional message about Doherty’s death.
“Another day, another great loss,” he wrote on Instagram. “Far too young to leave this plane. Shannen played a witch in Charmed but she was actually a warrior and fought like one to live. She’ll always be #brendawalsh to me and I’ll be forever grateful our paths crossed on this journey. Rest in peace dear Shannen… the skies at night are brighter for your presence among the stars.”
Carol Potter
Carol Potter, who played Doherty’s on-screen mom Cindy, said on Instagram she was “shocked and saddened” by Doherty’s passing.
“What a journey she has been on! Gone too soon,” added Potter, 76. “Throughout, she stayed true to herself and gave us an example of courage and perseverance in facing her own death. May she rest in peace.”
