Hollywood stars are grappling with the “tremendous grief” of losing Shannen Doherty, the “force of nature” who on Saturday July 13 lost her years-long battle with cancer.
Friends and co-stars are pouring out their grief for the star, who through her roles in Beverly Hills, 90210, and Charmed, defined the ’90s.
Keep reading to learn about the touching memories shared by friends of Doherty, who died at 53.
In November 2023, Shannen Doherty spoke with People about her stage 4 breast cancer that spread to her bones.
“I’m not done with living. I’m not done with loving. I’m not done with creating. I’m not done with hopefully changing things for the better,” said Doherty, who died at 53. “I’m just not, I’m not done.”
The star of Heathers star was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and after a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation, she announced in 2017 she was in remission.
But by 2019, the cancer returned, and she then learned she had metastatic stage 4 cancer.
After having a tumor removed from her brain in early 2023, the actor – who had her big break as an 11-year-old on Little House on the Prairie – said, “My greatest memory is yet to come.”
Loses her battle
On Sunday July 14 2024, her publicist Leslie Sloane shared a statement that would break the hearts of millions.
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty,” Sloane writes of the star, who at the time of her death was surrounded by loved ones and her dog, Bowie.
Since the announcement, tributes for the Tennessee-born actor – who’s remembered as a “devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend” – poured in across social media.
The emotional online memorials include Doherty’s friends and former co-stars from her time as Brenda Walsh on 90210 and Charmed, where from 1998 to 2001, she played Prue Halliwell, a powerful good witch.
‘90210’ castmates
Jason Priestly, who played her on screen twin brother Brandon on Beverly Hills 90210, shares a throwback photo on Facebook and writes, “Shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of my friend Shannen. She was a force of nature, and I will miss her. Sending love and light to her family in this dark time.”
Jennie Garth, who starred as the spoiled rich kid Kelly Taylor on the teen drama that ran from 1990 to 2000, also shares her sadness on Facebook.
Along with some old photos of her former co-star, Garth writes that she is “still processing her “tremendous grief over the loss” of the woman she describes “as one of the strongest” people she has ever known.
“Our connection was real and honest. We were so often pitted against each other but none of that reflected the truth of our real relationship which was one built on mutual respect and admiration. She was courageous, passionate, determined and very loving and generous. I will miss her and will always honor her deeply in my heart and in my memories. My heart breaks for her family and Bowie”
Another 90210 star, Gabrielle Cateris, who played Andrea Zuckerman, shared a photo of the sun in the sky on Facebook, and writes in the caption, “So young – so sad. May you RIP Shannen.”
Next, referring to the late Luke Perry, who played Doherty’s on-screen boyfriend Dylan McKay and died in 2019 after a massive stroke, Carteris adds “I know Luke is there with open arms to love you.”
‘Charmed’
Meanwhile, Rose MGowan, who replaced Doherty after she was fired from Charmed, shares a thoughtful message on Instagram to the woman she calls a “warrior.”
She writes, “Shannen Doherty had the heart of a lion. Passion for craft is often mislabeled as trouble. Shannen was passion. I met her in the 90s and was awed. A soft-hearted badass as there ever was. A force of energy that will live forever in hearts…Rest now warrior, we will never forget you dear sister”
And Brian Krause, who starred on the fantasy show where Doherty played the eldest of three sisters, writes on Instagram, “You showed me what strength is. You taught me to be fearless and live with purpose. To know your value and stick to your determinations. Forever loved! Truly heartbroken.”
‘Fly so high’
Other celebrities also penned emotional tributes to the star, including Olivia Munn, the star of the hit HBO series The Newsroom.
“We bonded through a shared battle and a desire to help other women. Looking back on the last text she sent me just a couple months ago, she asked how I was doing and if she could do anything for me…True to form, Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stage of fighting this horrific disease,” Munn writes on Instagram. “Cancer is really f***ing scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength and grace…Fly so high, my friend.”
And filmmaker Kevin Smith writes that Doherty “broke the internet” before it existed.
“Long before any other pop culture figure ‘broke the internet’ [Doherty] singlehandedly shattered it in the early 90’s,” he writes of the actor, who starred in several of his films, including Mallrats and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. “This is an incredible accomplishment considering the internet as we know it didn’t even exist yet.”
He then adds what everyone else is thinking, “She’s died way too soon. I already miss you…”
Please share your thoughts and memories on Shannen Doherty and then share this story so we can hear from others.
Rest in Peace, Shannen.
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