Shannen Doherty died at the age of 53 on Saturday, and she is being remembered across Hollywood with emotional tributes.
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty,” Doherty’s longtime publicist, Leslie Sloane, shared in a statement.
The actor died July 13 from cancer “after many years of fighting the disease.” Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and went into remission in 2017. In 2020, she announced that the cancer had returned as Stage 4.
Doherty was remembered as a “devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.” Sloane said that Doherty was surrounded by loved ones and her dog, Bowie, adding, “The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.”
Tributes poured in across social media, including touching tributes from Doherty’s friends and former co-stars from her time as Brenda Walsh on “Beverly Hills, 90210” and Prue Halliwell on “Charmed.”
Jason Priestley
Jason Priestley, who portrayed Doherty’s on-screen twin brother Brandon Walsh on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” posted a throwback photo on Instagram from the show of the two posing together.
“Shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of my friend Shannen,” Priestley wrote in the caption. “She was a force of nature and I will miss her. Sending love and light to her family in this dark time.”
Brian Austin Green
Brian Austin Green, who portrayed the character David Silver on the show, shared an emotional tribute to Doherty on his Instagram story, writing, “Shan. My sister…You loved me through everything.”
“You were a big part of my understanding of love,” he continued. “I’ll miss you more than I know how to process right now. Thank you for the gift of you.”
Gabrielle Carteris
Gabrielle Cateris, who played the character Andrea Zuckerman, posted a photo of the sun in the sky on Instagram, penning a message for Doherty in the caption.
“So young — so sad. May you RIP Shannon. I know Luke is there with open arms to love you,” Cateris wrote, referring to the late Luke Perry, who portrayed Doherty’s love interest Dylan McKay on “Beverly Hill, 90210” and died in March 2019 following a massive stroke.
Carol Potter
Carol Potter, who portrayed Doherty’s on-screen mother Cindy Walsh, wrote on Instagram that she was “shocked and saddened” by the news of her death.
“What a journey she has been on! Gone too soon,” Potter wrote. “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.”
Alyssa Milano
Former cast members of “Charmed” also mourned the loss of Doherty, including Alyssa Milano, who shared her condolences in a statement to TODAY.com.
“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, who played Phoebe Halliwell on the show, said. “She was a talented actress, beloved by many and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her.”
Rose McGowan
Rose McGowan, who replaced Doherty on “Charmed” after Season 3, shared a lengthy tribute for the actor on Instagram alongside a photo montage from over the years.
“Shannen Doherty had the heart of a lion,” McGowan wrote. “Passion for craft is often mislabeled as trouble. Shannen was passion. 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 the Doherty “knew how to be a star” and had an “inspiring” work ethic.
“Our lives had been intertwined in a unique way,” she added. “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.”
Brian Krause
Brian Krause, who portrayed the character Leo Wyatt, said on Instagram that he was “truly heartbroken” after the death of Doherty.
“You showed me what strength is,” Krause wrote. “You taught me to be fearless and live with purpose. To know your value and stick to your determinations. Forever loved!”
Ted King
Ted King, who played Doherty’s on-screen love interest Andy Trudeau on “Charmed,” reflected on their time working together in his tribute to the actor.
“We created a special television couple for the ages,” he wrote in the caption. “My heart goes out to your family. Rest in peace Shannen, rest in peace.”
Olivia Munn
Fellow celebrities shared tributes to honor the life of Doherty, including Olivia Munn, who shared in March that she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Munn said she was “absolutely heartbroken” over the death of Doherty in an Instagram post.
“When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I remembered how she bravely let the world into her journey and I 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.”
Munn said that she and Doherty “bonded through a shared battle” and their “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,” she recalled. “True to form, Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stage of fighting this horrific disease. Cancer is really f------ scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength and grace.”
Eric West
“My heart is broken. It was a pleasure to meet Shannen Doherty while filming our movie Fortress a little over 2 years ago,” West wrote via X. “She was full of warm energy and positive vibes. So young. So talented. May she rest well.”
Other celebrities such as Niecy Nash commented with several dove emojis, and Kristin Chenoweth wrote: "Fly with the angels sweet precious soul!"
Candiace Dillard also commented, writing, "MY LORD💔💔 I loved her so much. My condolences to her family and friends❤️❤️❤️."
In the comments section of Doherty's final Instagram post, which was shared on June 25, several stars weighed in on her loss, including Kate Beckinsale and Selma Blair.
Beckinsale wrote in a comment, "Love you . Fly high lovely kind sweetheart woman . This hits hard . Your heart,courage and kindness will be so missed ♥️♥️💔💔💔," while Blair wrote, "♥️ thank you for being here. Thank you for showing us how to keep going. Rebel heart."
Jason Momoa also commented a series of hearts and broken hearts on the post.
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Sarah Michelle Gellar posted a touching tribute via Instagram after her longtime friend lost her battle with breast cancer Saturday.
“How do you possibly find the right words to sum up 30 years of friendship?” Gellar, 47, wrote Monday. “I keep reminding myself it only hurts this much because, there was so much love.”
She thanked her followers for their “kind words and support” during the tragedy, adding, “I love all the messages about how @theshando was important to you.
“So let’s honor her,” the “All My Children” alum continued. “More than anything, Shan loves animals, especially dogs. In her memory let’s support our favorite animal charities.”
Gellar gushed that “donating money, stopping by [a] local shelter and just offering cuddles and walks to animals housed there or even just tagging them in the comments so other people can learn about their work” would make Doherty happy.
The “I Know What You Did Last Summer” actress concluded her post by saying the actions would also “illicit that deep throaty laugh we all loved.”
Many of Doherty’s loved ones and former co-stars have been mourning her on social media, from “Charmed” star Rose McGowan writing that she “can’t stop crying” to “Beverly Hills, 90210” cast member Tori Spelling posting broken heart emojis.
Doherty was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, announcing two years later that it was in remission.
The friends even quarantined together during the COVID-19 pandemic along with Gellar’s husband, Freddie Prinze Jr., and their two kids, daughter Charlotte, 14, and son Rocky, 11.
RIP.
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