The television world is in mourning. For several years, Shannen Doherty had been courageously battling aggressive breast cancer. First diagnosed in 2015, she had never stopped fighting, and shared the highs and lows of her battle with the public.
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Despite her efforts and exemplary courage, the Charmed actress passed away at the age of 53 on July 13. Her publicist Leslie Sloane announced the sad news on July 14 in an exclusive statement to People. She said:
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.
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.
Tributes from the Beverly Hills cast
Since the tragic news, tributes have been pouring in from many who loved the actress.
Cast members from Beverly Hills 90210, the cult '90s series in which Doherty played Brenda Walsh have also spoken out. Jason Priestley, who played Brandon Walsh shared an old photo of the duo and wrote:
Stunned and saddened to learn of the death of my friend Shannen. She was a force of nature, and I will miss her. My thoughts are with her family
Brian Austin Green also posted a moving message:
Shan, my sister... You loved me through everything. You were a big part of my understanding of love. I will miss you more than I can process your passing right now. Thank you for the gift.
The same goes for Jennie Garth, who had remained very close to Shannen Doherty:
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.
Gabrielle Carteris, who is famous for her role in the show as Andrea Zuckerman, honored Doherty and also mentioned the passing of another beloved cast member—Luke Perry. The 63-year-old wrote:
So young – so sad. May you RIP Shannen. I know Luke is there with open arms to love you,
The cast of Charmed, the series in which Shannen Doherty played Prue Halliwell, also paid tribute to their colleague. Rose McGowan, who had replaced the actress in the role of Paige, published a long message accompanied by a slideshow of photos:
We laughed at those who would have wanted us to hate each other. We chose to love and respect each other. A force of nature with a tender heart. Rest easy, warrior, we'll never forget you, my sister.
Amid the tributes that have been flowing in, People has reported that Shannen Doherty gave her fans a last health update a few weeks before she passed.
Shannen Doherty's last health update
Indeed, in one of the latest episodes of the actress' podcast Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty, she revealed that she would soon start going through another round of chemo therapy. In the episode that aired on June 24, she said she would probably start 'a couple days later'. She added:
I go in for my first run of chemo, and to just be walking into the unknown, I just feel like my life has been unknown for over a year now between divorce and cancer.
The star had been married to to Kurt Iswarienko for 11 years until 2023 when she filed for a divorce. The couple were still battling out their divorce settlement in court when she passed away.
In the same episode, Doherty revealed that she had 'no idea how long' she would be doing chemo this time and that it was 'scary'. She said:
That's not something that I can predict. It's not something my doctors can predict. And it's scary.
That being said, she also said that she was feeling 'positive' because she had more 'protocols' to try out in light of recent changes in her cancer cell structure. The Charmed actress explained:
At the same time, I have to say, there is some positivity there and the positive is that because my molecular structure of my cancer cells changed recently, it means there [are] a lot more protocols for me to try.
As of now no details have been released officially by her close entourage about her last days before her death, so it is unknown whether Doherty had in fact started the chemotherapy sessions or how it was going. Her family has requested privacy for the time being.
A part of this article has been translated from Ohmymag FR.
Sources used:
People: Shannen Doherty Was Starting New Round of Chemo in Last Health Update Before Her Death: 'It's Scary'
People: Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling Share Emotional Tributes to Late Beverly Hills, 90210 Costar Shannen Doherty: 'My Heart Breaks'
New York Post: Brian Austin Green, ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ cast honor ‘sister’ Shannen Doherty after death: Luke Perry ‘is there with open arms’
