'Devoted Daughter, Sister, Aunt and Friend'
Shannen Doherty, beloved actress known for her roles in "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed," has died at the age of 53. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, Doherty bravely battled the disease for many years.
"It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress, Shannen Doherty," shared her publicist, Leslie Sloane, in a statement. "On Saturday, July 13th, she passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones, including her dog Bowie, after a courageous fight against cancer."
Doherty rose to fame in 1990 as Brenda Walsh, the iconic brunette on the smash hit "Beverly Hills, 90210." She and her twin brother Brandon, played by Jason Priestley, portrayed the quintessential outsiders - a Minnesota family navigating the extravagant world of Beverly Hills teenagers. Her character's journey captivated audiences worldwide.
Doherty's family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
Shannen Doherty's Brenda and Luke Perry's Dylan became a teen idol couple. Their on-screen romance sparked controversy in season one with a storyline about teen sexuality, pushing boundaries for the time. Their dramatic breakup, fueled by Dylan's betrayal with Brenda's best friend Kelly (Jennie Garth), further captivated audiences. The show's willingness to tackle sensitive issues like teen pregnancy, drug abuse, and racism made it groundbreaking television.
The show's immense popularity became a double-edged sword. While "Beverly Hills, 90210" soared in the ratings, the cast, including the then-teenage Doherty, faced intense public scrutiny and tabloid fodder. Initially, Jennie Garth's Kelly was the less popular character, but the tide quickly turned, with Brenda becoming the target of public criticism. Labeled a diva by the media, she even faced a pre-internet newsletter dedicated to disliking her ("I Hate Brenda"). Doherty eventually departed the series after 111 episodes, reportedly due to friction with other cast members, particularly Garth.
Despite a tumultuous exit from "Beverly Hills, 90210," Doherty found success in the supernatural drama "Charmed." The series follows three sisters who discover their destiny as witches, battling evil together. Doherty portrayed Prue Halliwell, the eldest sister, alongside Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs. She even stepped behind the camera, directing three episodes during her tenure. However, her character's journey ended in 2001 when Doherty departed the series after season three, with Prue being written out through her death. Years later, with time seemingly healing old wounds, Doherty reprised her role as Brenda Walsh in both the 2008 revival "90210" and the 2019 meta-reboot "BH90210."
Shannen Doherty's acting career began at a young age. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, she moved to Los Angeles with her family and landed her first role at 10 on the series "Father Murphy." Michael Landon, impressed by her talent, cast her as Jenny Wilder in "Little House on the Prairie" a year later. Doherty's versatility shone as she transitioned from family dramas to teen classics like "Heathers" and "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." She also showcased her comedic timing in Kevin Smith's cult favorites "Mallrats" and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back." Her career wasn't limited to the big screen, with recurring roles on shows like "Our House" with Wilfred Brimley, and appearances in series like "North Shore" and even a recent stint on "Riverdale." Additionally, she built a filmography of television movies throughout her career.
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