Shannen Doherty died at the age of 53, and her former co-stars are remembering her with emotional tributes.
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty,” Doherty’s longtime publicist, Leslie Sloane, shared in a statement.
The actor died July 13 from cancer “after many years of fighting the disease.” Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and went into remission in 2017. In 2020, she announced that the cancer had returned as Stage 4.
Doherty was remembered as a “devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.” Sloane said that Doherty was surrounded by loved ones and her dog, Bowie, adding, “The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.”
Tributes poured in across social media, including touching tributes from Doherty’s friends and former co-stars from her time as Brenda Walsh on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Prue Halliwell on “Charmed” and Heather Duke on "Heathers."
Jennie Garth
Jennie Garth, who co-starred on “Beverly Hills, 90210” with Doherty, wrote a lengthy post in her memory that reads in part: “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
Tori Spelling, aka Donna Martin, reflected on the origin of her decadeslong friendship with Doherty in an Instagram post on July 15.
"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," Spelling wrote. "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, roommates of sorts at times, travel buddies, and so much more. She always stuck up for me. Always had my back."
At the end of her post, Spelling wrote, "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."
Jason Priestley
Jason Priestley, who portrayed Doherty’s on-screen twin brother Brandon Walsh on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” posted a throwback photo on Instagram from the show of the two posing together.
“Shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of my friend Shannen,” Priestley wrote in the caption. “She was a force of nature and I will miss her. Sending love and light to her family in this dark time.”
Brian Austin Green
Brian Austin Green, who portrayed the character David Silver on the show, shared an emotional tribute to Doherty on his Instagram story, writing, “Shan. My sister…You loved me through everything.”
“You were a big part of my understanding of love,” he continued. “I’ll miss you more than I know how to process right now. Thank you for the gift of you.”
Gabrielle Carteris
Gabrielle Carteris, who played the character Andrea Zuckerman, posted a photo of the sun in the sky on Instagram, penning a message for Doherty in the caption.
“So young — so sad. May you RIP Shannon. I know Luke is there with open arms to love you,” Carteris wrote, referring to the late Luke Perry, who portrayed Doherty’s love interest Dylan McKay on “Beverly Hills, 90210” and died in March 2019 following a massive stroke.
Carol Potter
Carol Potter, who portrayed Doherty’s on-screen mother Cindy Walsh, wrote on Instagram that she was “shocked and saddened” by the news of her death.
“What a journey she has been on! Gone too soon,” Potter wrote. “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.”
Alyssa Milano
Former cast members of “Charmed” also mourned the loss of Doherty, including Alyssa Milano, who shared her condolences in a statement to TODAY.com.
“It’s no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and was in awe of,” Milano, who played Phoebe Halliwell on the show, said. “She was a talented actress, beloved by many and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her.”
Rose McGowan
Rose McGowan, who replaced Doherty on “Charmed” after Season 3, shared a lengthy tribute for the actor on Instagram alongside a photo montage from over the years.
“Shannen Doherty had the heart of a lion,” McGowan wrote. “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.”
McGowan said the Doherty “knew how to be a star” and had an “inspiring” work ethic.
“Our lives had been intertwined in a unique way,” she added. “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.”
Brian Krause
Brian Krause, who portrayed the character Leo Wyatt, said on Instagram that he was “truly heartbroken” after the death of Doherty.
“You showed me what strength is,” Krause wrote. “You taught me to be fearless and live with purpose. To know your value and stick to your determinations. Forever loved!”
Ted King
Ted King, who played Doherty’s on-screen love interest Andy Trudeau on “Charmed,” reflected on their time working together in his tribute to the actor.
“We created a special television couple for the ages,” he wrote in the caption. “My heart goes out to your family. Rest in peace Shannen, rest in peace.”
Lisanne Falk
Lisanne Falk, who played Heather McNamara in the 1989 movie "Heathers," acknowledged in an Instagram post on July 15 that she hadn't spoken with Doherty since they'd attended a screening of the classic film, but she reflected on the lasting impact their characters have made in the pop culture landscape.
"I am truly saddened to hear the news. And if her portrayal of Heather Duke were to serve as her epitaph, I, for one, as the last remaining Heather would think it more than sufficient," Falk wrote, referencing their late co-star Kim Walker. "Certainly no one else could have landed the line: ‘Veronica, why are you pulling my d---?’ like Shannen did.
"Apparently my generation has reached that station in life where it’s time we look back in order to try to understand how we got here. Tragically, Heather Chandler never had the chance to reflect, and now Heather Duke was interrupted just as she was clearing her throat. If it is Heather McNamara’s fate to have the last word for the Heather’s, then let it be this:
"It’s been an honor to occupy our own little patch of the zeitgeist, together as one, out here on the fringe, where all the cool kids hang, a cult classic."
Olivia Munn
Fellow celebrities shared tributes to honor the life of Doherty, including Olivia Munn, who shared in March that she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Munn said she was “absolutely heartbroken” over the death of Doherty in an Instagram post.
“When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I remembered how she bravely let the world into her journey and I reached out to her,” Munn wrote. “We became instant friends- which I honestly couldn’t comprehend at times because watching her on ‘90210’ was everything to me when I was 10.”
Munn said that she and Doherty “bonded through a shared battle” and their “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,” she recalled. “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------ scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength and grace.”
CORRECTION (July 15, 2024, 2:32 p.m.): An earlier version of this article misspelled Gabrielle Carteris’ name. It is spelled Gabrielle Carteris, not Gabrielle Cateris.
