American actress Shannen Doherty, famous for playing high school student Brenda Walsh on the popular 1990s TV drama "Beverly Hills, 90210," has passed away at the age of 53 after battling cancer for several years, according to a report by People magazine on Sunday.
American actress Shannen Doherty, best known for her role as Brenda Walsh on the hit 1990s television drama “Beverly Hills, 90210,” has died at the age of 53 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Doherty’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, confirmed the news, stating, “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 publicly disclosed her fight with breast cancer in 2015, revealing she was undergoing treatment for the disease. Her battle was relentless, and in 2023, she underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. Despite these efforts, the cancer spread to her bones, ultimately leading to her passing.
Doherty’s acting career began in her childhood, with her role as Jenny Wilder in the final season of the TV classic “Little House on the Prairie.” In 1988, she gained further recognition in the dark comedy film “Heathers,” which later became a cult classic. However, it was her portrayal of Brenda Walsh on “Beverly Hills, 90210” that catapulted her to fame. Her character, an honor roll student from Minnesota, struggled to fit in with her wealthy classmates, becoming embroiled in a love triangle with Dylan McKay (Luke Perry) and Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth).
Off-screen, Doherty’s real-life conflicts with castmates, particularly Jennie Garth, led to her departure from the show during its fourth season in 1994. Despite her exit, the show continued through 2000 without her. In 1998, “90210” producer Aaron Spelling cast Doherty in the supernatural series “Charmed,” where she played Prue Halliwell, the eldest of three sisters with magical abilities. The show was a hit but also faced reports of behind-the-scenes turmoil.
Known as the “iconic ‘bad girl’ of the nineties,” Doherty had a reputation for partying, showing up late on set, and feuding with colleagues and bosses. She addressed her behavior in a 2023 podcast called “Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty,” where she took full responsibility for her actions, acknowledging that her behavior sometimes got out of hand during her early 20s. Doherty also spoke about her tendency to speak up more than other women in the industry, often challenging scripts and standing up against men who didn’t value her opinion.
Despite her earlier conflicts, Doherty and Garth reconciled as adults, leaving their teenage disputes behind. Doherty reprised her role as Brenda Walsh for the “90210” reboots in 2008 and 2019.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 12, 1971, Doherty’s career spanned decades. She was married three times, most recently to photographer Kurt Iswarienko, from whom she filed for divorce in 2023. Her legacy as a talented and outspoken actress will be remembered by her fans and the entertainment industry.
Shannen Doherty was best known for her role as Brenda Walsh on the 1990s television drama “Beverly Hills, 90210.” She also gained recognition for her role as Prue Halliwell in the supernatural series “Charmed” and for her performance in the dark comedy film “Heathers.”
Shannen Doherty publicly battled breast cancer, which she disclosed in 2015. In 2023, she underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor, but the cancer eventually spread to her bones, leading to her passing. Professionally, Doherty was known for her off-screen conflicts with castmates, particularly Jennie Garth, which led to her departure from “Beverly Hills, 90210” during its fourth season. Despite these challenges, she later reconciled with Garth and continued her acting career, reprising her role in the “90210” reboots in 2008 and 2019.