Shannen Doherty, the beloved actress known for her roles in 'Beverly Hills, 90210' and 'Charmed,' passed away on July 13, 2024, after a long battle with breast cancer. Doherty was diagnosed with the disease in 2015 and went into remission in 2017. However, she was rediagnosed with metastatic stage 4 breast cancer in 2019 and had been undergoing treatment until her death.
Doherty's passing came as a shock to many, especially her former co-stars and friends. Holly Marie Combs, who starred alongside Doherty in 'Charmed,' paid tribute to her on Instagram, calling her 'my better half of 31 years.' Combs also revealed that Doherty had recorded episodes for their rewatch podcast prior to her death.
Doherty's longtime friend and oncologist, Dr. Lawrence D. Piro, described her final moments as 'beautiful and loving.' According to Dr. Piro, things had turned more difficult in the last couple of weeks of Doherty's life.
Doherty's diagnosis raised questions about whether an earlier diagnosis could have prevented the spread of her cancer. In 2013, she had sued her former accounting firm for not paying her health insurance premium, resulting in a lapse of coverage in 2014. Doherty had wondered if an earlier diagnosis could have saved her life.
Doherty's ex-husband, Kurt Iswarienko, signed the divorce papers on the same day she died. The couple had been married since 2011 and filed for divorce in April 2023. Doherty revealed that Iswarienko had been cheating on her for two years before her brain surgery to remove a tumor.
Beverly Hills, 90210, which premiered in 1990, set the template for modern teen dramas. Doherty portrayed Brenda Walsh in the series and went from naive to vixen over the first four seasons. Teens were a popular demographic on prime-time TV at the time with shows like 'Parker Lewis Can't Lose,' 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,' 'Growing Pains,' 'Who's the Boss,' and 'A Different World' already airing.
Doherty will be remembered for her acting talent, her fierce spirit, and her ability to captivate audiences. Her legacy will live on through her work and the many lives she touched.