Shannen Doherty is being remembered as a “force of nature” by her friends, co-stars, fans and loved ones, following her death aged 53.
The prolific television actress, who was known for her roles on Little House on the Prairie, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed, died over the weekend following a years-long battle with breast cancer.
“Shannen Doherty had the heart of a lion,” Rose McGowan, who starred on Charmed following Doherty’s departure, wrote in a lengthy tribute shared to Instagram.
Watch the video above.
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“Passion for craft is often mislabelled as trouble. Shannen was passion,” McGowan continued.
“I met her in the 90s and was awed. Getting to really know her later in life, a beautiful gift. This woman fought to live,” McGowan said, noting how Doherty had been a star since her childhood and praising her work ethic, which she said was “inspiring to the end”.
“Shannen’s great love for directing, for acting, Holly [Marie Combs], her friends, her parents, dog and her beloved fans was legendary.”
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“Our lives had been intertwined in a unique way. We laughed at dark forces who wanted us to hate each other, instead we chose love and respect. A soft-hearted badass as there ever was. A force of energy that will live forever in hearts,” McGowan wrote, concluding with a message that Doherty would never be forgotten.
Doherty’s fellow Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano – with whom Doherty was open about sharing a feud-like relationship – also paid tribute to the late actress via a statement shared with People.
“It’s no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and was in awe of,” Milano wrote.
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“She was a talented actress, beloved by many and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her,” Milano’s message concluded.
Actress Olivia Munn, meanwhile, paid tribute to Doherty via a lengthy statement issued to her Instagram Story.
Munn, who did not work with Doherty, revealed in her message that the duo recently bonded when Munn was also diagnosed with breast cancer.
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”I am absolutely heartbroken over the passing of Shannen Doherty. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I remembered how she bravely let the world into her journey and reached out to her,” Munn wrote.
“We became instant friends – which I honestly couldn’t comprehend at times because watching her on 90210 was everything to me when I was 10.”
According to Munn, she and Doherty both bonded over their “shared battle” and their shared desire to “help other women” by being vocal about staying vigilant when it comes to the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and getting checked regularly even when you may not feel any.
”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 stages of fighting this horrific disease,” Munn continued.
“Cancer is really f—ing scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength and grace.
“I’m sending all my love to her mother who was her best friend, hero and champion every step of the way. Fly so high, my friend 💔💔💔💔”.
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Doherty’s Beverly Hills, 90210 co-stars also took to social media with tributes, with 54-year-old Jason Priestly, who played Doherty’s twin on the show, describing her as a “force of nature” in an Instagram post.
“I will miss her,” he wrote.
“Sending love and light to her family in this dark time.”
Jennie Garth said she was still processing her “tremendous grief” over ”the woman I have often described as one of the strongest people I have ever known”.
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“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 wrote on Instagram.
“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 and all the people who loved her.”
Brian Austin Green also paid tribute to his “sister” on his Instagram Story, with the fellow 90210 alum writing: “You loved me through everything. You were a big part of my understanding of love. I’ll miss you more than I know how to process right now. Thank you for the gift of you.”
“Shocked and saddened by news of Shannon Doherty’s death,” Carol Potter, who played her on-screen mum in the show, wrote on Instagram.
“What a journey she has been on! Gone too soon. Throughout, she stayed true to herself and gave us an example of courage and perseverance in facing her own death. May she rest in peace.❤️🙏”
“So young – so sad. May you RIP Shannon,” fellow co-star Gabrielle Carteris wrote on Instagram.
“I know Luke is there with open arms to love you,” she continued, referencing the late Luke Perry, who died in 2019 aged 52 following a stroke.
“Another day, another great loss. Far too young to leave this plane,” 90210 alum Mark Espinoza wrote on Instagram.
“Shannen played a witch in Charmed but she was actually a warrior and fought like one to live. She’ll always be #brendawalsh to me and I’ll be forever grateful our paths crossed on this journey. Rest in peace dear Shannen… the skies at night are brighter for your presence among the stars. #90210.”
Brian Krause – who played Leo Wyatt on Charmed – also paid tribute to his former co-star, writing 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 😔.”
Actor Ted King, who played Doherty’s love interest Andy on the first season of Charmed, also paid tribute to her.
”We created a special television couple for the ages,” he wrote on Instagram. “My heart goes out to your family. Rest in peace Shannen, rest in peace.”
Shannen Doherty’s death came after a years-long cancer battle
Doherty’s death was confirmed by her publicist overnight in an emotional statement.
It followed a nine-year battle with breast cancer – Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and went into remission two years later.
In 2020, however, Doherty revealed her cancer had not only returned, but it had also spread and was in stage four.
In June 2023, Doherty revealed the cancer had spread to her brain.
”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,” Leslie Sloane, Doherty’s publicist, said in a statement.
“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.”
Shannen Doherty’s final message of hope to her fans
In Doherty’s last message, share to Instagram on June 26, she opened up about how she was feeling amid her cancer battle.
“I have no idea how long I’m going to be on the chemo for. I have no idea if it’s going to be three months or if it’s going to be six months or if we’re going, you know, if after three months it’s not working if we’re going to change again,” she said in a video shared with her followers.
“Like I don’t really… that’s not something that I can predict. It’s not something my doctors can predict. And it’s… it’s scary,” she continued. “It’s like a big wake up call.”
Doherty said in the message, however, she had some hope and positivity because her cancer cells’ molecular makeup had changed recently, opening up more treatment options for her.
“For the first time in a couple of months, probably, I feel hopeful, because there are so many more protocols now. Whereas before I was hopeful but I was still getting prepared.”
Almost three weeks after this message was shared, Doherty’s publicist announced her death.
“♥️ thank you for being here. Thank you for showing us how to keep going. Rebel heart,” actress Selma Blair wrote under Doherty’s post following her death.
Kate Beckinsale, meanwhile, paid tribute with the comment: “Love you . Fly high lovely kind sweetheart woman . This hits hard . Your heart,courage and kindness will be so missed ♥️♥️💔💔💔”
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