The actress had been enduring a prolonged struggle with breast cancer, having initially been diagnosed in 2015.
Although she achieved remission at one point, the cancer resurfaced and metastasized in 2020.
In a statement to People, her longtime publicist Leslie Sloane shared: “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.”
Since her initial diagnosis in 2015 and subsequent recurrence, Shannen openly shared the challenging journey, documenting her treatment experiences on social media. In 2016, following the first diagnosis, she revealed that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, necessitating eight rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.
Although she achieved remission in 2017, she disclosed to the Associated Press just a year later that her tumor markers had risen. By 2020, during an appearance on Good Morning America, she announced the return of her cancer, now classified as stage four breast cancer, indicating it had metastasized to other parts of her body.
“I don’t think that I’ve processed it. It’s a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways,” she said at the time.
Though she initially kept details of her cancer battle largely private, in June of last year, she shared an update, posting videos to her Instagram of her undergoing radiation therapy in January.
“On January 5th, my CT scan showed mets in my brain,” she wrote then, adding: “January 12, the first round of radiation took place. My fear is obvious. I am extremely claustrophobic and there was a lot going on in my life […] I am fortunate as I have great doctors like Dr. Amin Mirahdi and the amazing techs at Cedar Sinai. But that fear…. The turmoil….. The timing of it all…. This is what cancer can look like.”
Shannen, born on April 12, 1971, in Memphis, Tennessee, began her on-screen career at the age of 11 with appearances on TV series like Voyagers! and Father Murphy in the early 1980s. She gained prominence for her recurring role as Jenny Wilder on Little House on the Prairie before making her mark in film with a notable appearance in the cult classic Heathers.
However, Shannen became a household name for her portrayal of Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210, a series created by Aaron Spelling, father of her co-star Tori Spelling. The show also featured Jennie Garth, Brian Austin Green, and the late Luke Perry, who passed away in 2019 at age 52 following a stroke.
Additionally, Shannen was well-known for her role as Prue Halliwell on Charmed, alongside Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, and Rose McGowan.
