Shannen Doherty, ‘Beverly Hills 90210’ and ‘Charmed’ Star, Dies at 53

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, Shannen Doherty, who was well-known for her performances on the immensely successful programs “Beverly Hills, 90210” and the witchcraft fantasy “Charmed,” passed away. 53 was her age.

Publicist Leslie Sloane issued a statement on behalf of actress Shannen Doherty, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress, Shannen Doherty.” After battling illness for many years, she lost her struggle on Saturday, July 13. With her dog, Bowie, at her side, the loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was surrounded by those she loved. In order for the family to grieve in peace, they kindly request privacy at this time.

In 1990, Doherty became well-known as the youthful brunette Brenda Walsh on the Fox sitcom “Beverly Hills, 90210.” The Walshes, who had recently moved from Minnesota to Beverly Hills with her twin brother Brandon (Jason Priestly), were the quintessential out-of-place family, always in awe of the antics of the L.A. rich kids.

The storyline in the first season where Brenda contemplates losing her virginity caused controversy because of the romance between Brenda and Dylan, played by Luke Perry. It was also widely reported when Dylan and Jennie Garth’s character Kelly broke up, and the show was hailed for being the first to tackle sensitive subjects like racism and drug misuse.

The program was a huge smash, and along with its popularity, the cast—including the teenage Doherty—came under intense scrutiny and rumors. Even though Kelly, played by Garth, was first seen as the less likeable character on the program, Brenda quickly gained popularity and became the cast member that everyone loved to despise. The media referred to her as a diva, and there was even a newsletter published before the internet called “I Hate Brenda.” Before departing the show at the conclusion of season four, Doherty made 111 appearances. There were rumors that she had issues with other cast members, especially Garth.

On “Beverly Hills 90210,” Jason Priestley, left, Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth, and Ian Ziering.

Everyone had matured by the time the program was revived twice more, and Doherty reappeared as Brenda in the 2008 revival of “90210” and the 2019 reincarnation of “BH90210.”

Following her turbulent exit from “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Doherty established herself in the supernatural thriller “Charmed,” which centers on three sisters who come to terms with their supernatural identity and realize they must band together to battle evil.She costarred with Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs as Prue Halliwell, the eldest of the three sisters. She helmed three episodes of the show in 2000 and 2001: “Be Careful What You Witch For,” “The Good, The Bad, and The Cursed,” and “All Hell Breaks Loose,” which was her final appearance. When she departed the show at the conclusion of the third season, her role was eliminated.

Doherty was born in Memphis, Tennessee, but she and her family relocated to Los Angeles when she was young. At the age of ten, she landed a role on the television show “Father Murphy.” At the age of eleven, Michael Landon cast her as Jenny Wilder in “Little House on the Prairie” after noticing her in the series.

After that, Doherty costarred with Wilfred Brimley in a recurrent role on the family series “Our House.”

She starred in several feature films, including the teen classic “Heathers,” “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “Mallrats” directed by Kevin Smith, and “Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back.”

She made appearances in a number of TV movies in addition to “North Shore” and “Riverdale,” among other shows.

The lead actor in “Beverly Hills 90201” was Shannen Doherty.©Courtesy/Aaron Spelling Prods

She produced the reality show “Breaking Up With Shannen Doherty” in 2006, in which she assisted individuals in dangerous relationships who wished to end their relationship but were unable to do so on their own. She then made an appearance in “Off the Map With Shannen and Holly,” another reality show.

Doherty was given a breast cancer diagnosis in February 2015, and she declared herself to be in remission in 2017. However, the cancer has spread and come back by 2019. She kept on working, landing parts in TV films such as “List of a Lifetime” and “Dying to Belong.” In addition, Doherty was the host of the well-liked podcast “Let’s Be Clear With Shannen Doherty,” where she openly talked about her experiences with breast cancer and her career.

She claimed to have been having radiation treatment in June 2023 for cancer that had progressed to her brain.

She temporarily wed poker player Rick Salomon and Ashley Hamilton, the son of George Hamilton. In 2011, she wed photographer Kurt Iswarienko. In 2023, they filed for divorce.

My Stepdaughters Made My Daughter Sleep on the Floor After Her Mom Died – Shocked, I Stepped in Immediately

When my grieving daughter called, sobbing that her stepsisters made her sleep on the floor the night of her mother’s funeral, my heart broke. With no support from my wife, I took matters into my own hands.

Blending families was never easy. After eight years of marriage to Candace, I thought we’d figured it out.

A happy family with kids | Source: Pexels

A happy family with kids | Source: Pexels

My daughter, Shiloh, is 16. She’s quiet and thoughtful, always preferring a book or a sketchpad to the chaos of her stepsisters, Anna, 19, and Sophie, 17.

Anna and Sophie, on the other hand, are the life of the party. Over the years, I’ve watched Shiloh try to fit in, but she’s always been the outsider.

A sas girl in her bedroom | Source: Pexels

A sas girl in her bedroom | Source: Pexels

Candace assured me it was normal sibling dynamics, but there were moments that felt like more than that. I’d catch Shiloh retreating to her room with her lips pressed together in that tight way she has when she’s holding back tears after a comment from Anna or Sophie.

Then, last week, the unthinkable happened.

A crying girl covering her face with her hands | Source: Midjourney

A crying girl covering her face with her hands | Source: Midjourney

Shiloh’s mother, my ex-wife, passed away unexpectedly. I was away on a business trip, and the call left me stunned. My mind raced through disbelief, grief, and worry for my daughter. She was incredibly close to her mom. This would shatter her.

I left immediately, driving through the night to get to her. Candace offered to take the girls ahead, and while I was grateful, something about the hotel arrangements left me uneasy.

A thoughtful man outside | Source: Pexels

A thoughtful man outside | Source: Pexels

Two rooms — one for Candace and me and one for the girls. “It’ll keep the peace,” Candace had said, brushing off my concerns. I trusted her to handle it, but a knot of doubt had settled in my chest.

I was halfway through my drive when my phone buzzed. It was Shiloh.

“Hey, sweetheart,” I said, my voice soft.

A man looking at his phone while driving | Source: Midjourney

A man looking at his phone while driving | Source: Midjourney

She didn’t answer right away. When she finally spoke, her voice was small and shaky. “Dad… I’m sleeping on the floor.”

I blinked, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “What? Why?”

“Anna and Sophie said the bed’s too small for three people,” she mumbled. “They told me it’d be better if I slept on the floor.”

A crying girl sitting on the floor | Source: Pexels

A crying girl sitting on the floor | Source: Pexels

I felt my jaw tighten. “Did you tell Candace?”

“She said it’s just for one night and to let it go,” Shiloh said, her voice cracking. “It’s fine, Dad. I didn’t want to make a big deal.”

I could hear the tears in her voice, and it broke something inside me. “No, honey,” I said, my voice firm. “It’s not fine. You shouldn’t have to do this.”

A shocked man in his car | Source: Midjourney

A shocked man in his car | Source: Midjourney

I pulled the car onto the shoulder of the road and ran a hand through my hair, trying to calm the anger that was building.

“Listen to me,” I said. “You’ve done nothing wrong, okay? This isn’t about making a big deal — it’s about what’s fair. You don’t deserve this, especially not now.”

Her sniffles on the other end of the line made my chest tighten.

A crying young woman | Source: Pexels

A crying young woman | Source: Pexels

“Dad,” she said quietly, “it’s okay. I don’t want to fight with them.”

“Sweetheart,” I said, forcing my voice to stay calm, “you just lost your mom. The last thing you need is to feel like this.”

When I hung up, I didn’t hesitate. I called Candace immediately. She picked up quickly, her tone light.

“Hi, honey! Still on the road?”

A woman on her phone | Source: Pexels

A woman on her phone | Source: Pexels

“What’s going on over there, Candace?” I said, skipping any pleasantries.

There was a pause. “What do you mean?”

“Shiloh just called me. She’s crying because Anna and Sophie made her sleep on the floor. Why didn’t you step in?”

Candace sighed. “The girls said the bed was too cramped. It’s just one night, Robert. She’ll be fine.”

An annoyed woman talking on her phone | Source: Midjourney

An annoyed woman talking on her phone | Source: Midjourney

“She’s not fine,” I snapped. “She’s grieving, Candace. And now she’s being pushed onto the floor like she doesn’t matter?”

“She’s not being pushed!” Candace shot back. “They’re just trying to be comfortable. I don’t see the problem here.”

“The problem,” I said, my voice rising, “is that Shiloh is there all by herself, and instead of supporting her, you’re letting her feel like an outsider. How can you be okay with this?”

An angry man talking on his phone | Source: Midjourney

An angry man talking on his phone | Source: Midjourney

Candace’s tone grew sharper. “What do you expect me to do, Robert? Force Anna and Sophie onto the floor? They’re kids too! This isn’t easy for them either.”

“They didn’t just lose a parent!” I snapped. “Shiloh is trying to hold herself together, and instead of making things easier for her, you’re brushing it off like it’s nothing!”

Candace let out a frustrated sigh. “You’re blowing this out of proportion. It’s one night. Shiloh can handle it.”

A frustrated woman talking on her phone | Source: Midjourney

A frustrated woman talking on her phone | Source: Midjourney

I felt a bitter laugh escape my throat. “This isn’t about handling anything. It’s about showing her that she’s not alone. How do you not see how important this is?”

I was still hours away when my phone buzzed again. Candace’s name lit up the screen, and I braced myself as I answered.

“What did you do, Robert?” she demanded, her voice low but furious.

An angry woman talking on her phone | Source: Midjourney

An angry woman talking on her phone | Source: Midjourney

“What I had to,” I said flatly, gripping the wheel. “Shiloh called me crying because Anna and Sophie made her sleep on the floor. You brushed her off, so I called the hotel manager, booked her another room, and asked them to escort her there.”

“You booked her a private room?” she snapped. “Without even talking to me?”

A smiling man talking on his phone | Source: Midjourney

A smiling man talking on his phone | Source: Midjourney

“I didn’t have time to talk, Candace,” I said, my voice tightening. “You made excuses instead of standing up for my daughter. I had to act.”

“She could have handled one night, Robert!” Candace said, her tone sharp. “Do you realize what you’ve done? Anna and Sophie are furious. They think you’re playing favorites.”

An angry woman talking on her phone in a hotel room | Source: Midjourney

An angry woman talking on her phone in a hotel room | Source: Midjourney

“Playing favorites?” I repeated, anger flaring. “This isn’t about favorites. Shiloh is living through possibly the worst moment of her life, Candace. She doesn’t need a lesson in ‘toughing it out’ right now. She needs support.”

“You’re undermining me,” she shot back. “Do you know how this looks? I’m supposed to be in charge while you’re away, and you went behind my back to fix something that wasn’t even that big of a deal!”

An angry man talking on his phone in his car | Source: Midjourney

An angry man talking on his phone in his car | Source: Midjourney

“It was a big deal,” I countered. “Shiloh deserved better, and no one stood up for her — not even you. How do you think that makes her feel?”

When I arrived at the hotel early the next morning, the tension was already simmering. I walked into the lobby and called Candace to let her know I was there.

“She’s in her new room,” Candace said curtly. “Anna and Sophie are upset, and I don’t know how you’re planning to fix this.”

A couple having a serious talk in a hotel room | Source: Midjourney

A couple having a serious talk in a hotel room | Source: Midjourney

“Candace, this isn’t about fixing their feelings,” I said. “It’s about doing the right thing.”

The heated argument continued after I left the funeral preparations that morning.

“Anna and Sophie won’t even look at you,” Candace said. “They feel like you’ve chosen Shiloh over them. This could ruin everything we’ve built.”

“Built?” I said, incredulous. “Candace, if what we’ve built can’t survive me standing up for my grieving daughter, maybe it wasn’t as strong as you think.”

An angry man talking in a hotel room | Source: Midjourney

An angry man talking in a hotel room | Source: Midjourney

“That’s unfair,” she said quietly, but her voice lacked conviction.

“What’s unfair is how you let her be treated,” I said, my frustration boiling over. “She’s a kid who just lost her mom, Candace. I expected you to show some compassion. Instead, you treated her like an inconvenience.”

“I care about Shiloh,” she insisted.

An offended woman with her arms crossed | Source: Freepik

An offended woman with her arms crossed | Source: Freepik

“Then why didn’t you act like it?” I asked, my voice softening but still firm.

At the funeral, I stayed close to Shiloh. She clung to my arm, her head bowed low, her face pale with grief. The service was heartbreaking, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

Her hands trembled as she wiped at her tears, and my heart ached watching her hold it all in. When the service ended, she turned to me and whispered, “Thank you for everything, Dad.”

A black and white photo of a crying girl | Source: Pexels

A black and white photo of a crying girl | Source: Pexels

Her words were simple, but they meant everything.

Once we were back home, I sat Candace down for a serious conversation.

“We need to talk,” I said.

“Robert, I’m tired of rehashing this,” she replied, crossing her arms.

An angry woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

An angry woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

“Candace, this isn’t about arguing,” I said firmly. “It’s about making sure this never happens again. Shiloh needs us — needs you — to be better. She’s already lost her mother. She shouldn’t feel like she’s losing her place in this family too.”

Candace sighed, looking away. “I didn’t handle it right,” she admitted quietly. “But you made me feel like I don’t have a say.”

A serious man in his living room | Source: Midjourney

A serious man in his living room | Source: Midjourney

“You always have a say,” I replied gently. “But when it comes to Shiloh, I won’t compromise on making sure she feels loved and safe. I hope you can understand that.”

Candace nodded reluctantly. “I’ll try to do better,” she said, though her tone held a trace of resentment.

Later that evening, Shiloh hugged me tightly. “Thank you for standing up for me, Dad,” she whispered.

A father hugging his daughter | Source: Midjourney

A father hugging his daughter | Source: Midjourney

I held her close, realizing that I’d made the right choice. From now on, I resolved to set clearer boundaries, ensuring that Shiloh always felt supported, no matter what it cost me.

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