Shannen Doherty, ‘Heathers’ star, dead at 53
1990s icon Shannen Doherty, the star of Heathers and Beverly Hills, 90210, has died at the age of 53.
The American actor, who also featured in Little House on the Prairie and Charmed, first revealed in 2015 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, which had spread to her lymph nodes. In February of the following year, the iconic Gen X star then announced that she was receiving anti-estrogen treatment to reduce the tumour and enable a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy.
However, multiple tumours blocked a lumpectomy, and instead, a unilateral mastectomy was performed in May 2016. Surgery also showed that some cancer cells might have spread further in the body because the disease was more advanced than they originally thought. Doherty then underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy and, in April 2017, announced that her cancer was in remission.
Unfortunately, in February 2020, Doherty revealed that her cancer had returned in 2019 and advanced to stage four. Appearing on Good Morning America that year, she called it a “bitter pill to swallow”, and in 2021 asserted on Nightline that she was going to keep fighting to stay alive.
“I definitely have days where I say, ‘Why me?'” She told Good Morning America. “And then I go, well, ‘Why not me? Who else? Who else besides me deserves this?’ None of us do.”
In June 2023, the actor announced on Instagram that the cancer had spread to her brain and was terminal, and in November informed fans that it had also spread to her bones. In January 2024, Doherty explained that she was undergoing a new cancer treatment and described it as a “miracle” for breaking the blood-brain barrier. Ultimately, though, her long fight against the disease proved too much.
Doherty’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, confirmed the news of her death to People. She said in a statement: “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,” she added.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee on April 12th, 1971, Doherty began working when young. Her early TV roles included Voyagers! and Father Murphy, which helped her secure the role of Jenny Wilder in Little House on the Prairie, aged just 11. Later in her teenage years, she was featured in the animated adventure The Secret of NIMH and the rom-com classic Girls Just Want to Have Fun. These bolstered her growing prominence.
In 1988, one of Doherty’s most iconic film roles materialised in the black comedy Heathers, which also starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. A commercial slow burner that later became one of the era’s ultimate cult titles, it is now regarded as one of the ultimate teen movies. Doherty solidified her status as a teen icon when she starred as lead character Brenda Walsh in the hit teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210, from 1990 to 1994.
Later, as the zeitgeist changed, from 1998-2001 Doherty featured as Prue Halliwell in fantasy drama, Charmed. Elsewhere, the late actor was also known for her film roles in Kevin Smith’s Mallrats and ensuing cameo in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. She even recently claimed Mallrats ruined her career.
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