S Poddar
Shannen Doherty, beloved for her roles in “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Heathers,” has passed away at 53.
Her publicist, Leslie Sloane, confirmed Doherty’s passing through People magazine. “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.”
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, Doherty underwent a mastectomy. By 2020, her condition was deemed terminal, a revelation she described as “a bitter pill to swallow” during an interview on Good Morning America. In June 2023, she shared via Instagram that her cancer had spread to her brain, accompanied by a video of her receiving treatment. “My fear is obvious,” she wrote.
Doherty began her acting career early, with roles in “Father Murphy” and “Little House on the Prairie,” and films like “The Secret of NIMH” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” all before turning 15. In 1988, she starred in the dark comedy “Heathers” alongside Winona Ryder. Though initially not a financial hit, the film later became a cult classic, hailed as one of the best high school movies ever made. Doherty even made a cameo in the pilot of its TV adaptation.
Her portrayal of Brenda Walsh in the teen drama “Beverly Hills 90210” brought her widespread fame, with the show drawing over 21 million viewers by its fourth season. Reflecting on the show’s success in 1992, Doherty said, “We get accosted in malls. Basically, it takes over your life.” Although she left before season five, she returned for the 2008 reboot and the 2019 meta series “BH90210,” where she played a version of herself.
Doherty also achieved significant success with the supernatural drama “Charmed,” starring for three seasons and directing several episodes. Her film credits include “Mallrats” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” directed by Kevin Smith. When Doherty shared her health update in 2023, Smith wrote, “You have been such a fearless fighter your whole life, so it’s understandable to be a little scared from time to time. But when those moments pass, let that indomitable Doherty spirit take over anew. I love you so much, my Mallrat.”
Often labeled a troublemaker by the press, Doherty was once dubbed the “iconic Hollywood bad girl of the 90s” by People magazine. In 1992, she defended her reputation, saying, “If you consider ‘difficult’ being a strong woman who sticks up for herself, yeah, I admit to it. I’m open to different ideas, but if you get on my bad side and don’t listen to me and you don’t treat me with as much respect as you treat a man, you’ve got a problem.” Reflecting on her image in 2010, she acknowledged, “I have a rep. Did I earn it? Yeah, I did. But, after a while, you sort of try to shed that rep because you’re kind of a different person. You’ve evolved and all of the bad things you’ve done in your life have brought you to a much better place.”
Doherty’s resilience and spirit have left an indelible mark on her fans and the entertainment industry.
