One year ago now Shannen left us... her spirit left but remained within us, within her family and friends, within her fans, within all who knew and loved her. It's as hard to believe now as it was then. She was so young, she looked so healthy until the end, she was so active till the end... this is what still makes it difficult. I feel she was stolen from us, she had still lots more to do in this Earth. She tought us love, she was brave, passionate and very misunderstood.
Keep on shinning beautiful diamond, beautiful soul, with your dad, your beloved animals, your ancestors. Keep on minding us, we surely need your courage to face this harsh (yet beautiful) world.
I'll share the last article that was published one year ago now because of her passing. I chose the ones I thought were more beautiful. I'll share more about specifically her cancer journey, "fight" (I don't like to use this word), strength and courage.
July 29, 2024 - Hello Canada
1971 – 2024
Saying Goodbye to a Television Legend.
Shannen Doherty.
Tributes Pour in as the Beverly Hills, 90210 star loses her brave battle with cancer.
Little House on the Prairie. From childhood, Shannen shone on the small screen, begining with a run on a classic family show. "It was really the experience on Little House [on the Prairie] that spurred that passion on for being an actor," she divulged on her podcast. Above right: Her iconic role as Brenda Walsh on 90210 – and love story with Luke Perry (inset) – garnered her fans around the globe.
She put up a courageous fight, but after a near decade-long battle with cancer, TV star Shannen Doherty succumbed to the devastating illness on July 13 at just 53 years of age.
Remembered as a "devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend," the actress was "surrounded by her loved ones, as well as her dog, Bowie," wrote her longtime publicist and compaion, Leslie Sloane.
Shannen's mother, Rosa Wright, shared her own poignant statement, saying, "She is my beautiful girl and my heart. Our family wants to thank everyone who has shown love and support for our Shannen throughout her life."
As heartbreaking as the news was, it was not unexpected. The Beverly Hills, 90210 actress had openly and candidly discussed her ongoing health issues with her fans since receiving her initial disgnosis of invasive breast cancer in 2015.
In typical Shannen fashion, she rebelled against the illness, fighting with vigour for almost 10 years. That determined, spunky attitude is exactly why fans adored the feisty (and sometimes controversial) star.
An Impressive Career
Born in Memphis, Tenn[essee], in 1971, Shannen began establishing herself as a Hollywood household name at age 11 after landing the part of Jenny Wilder on the final season of Little House on the Prairie.
"That show shaped me in so many ways, and it still is the best experience of my entire career," she gushed on an episode of her podcast, Let's Be Clear – a show dedicated to the actress's personal and professional lives.
And what a career it turned out to be. In 1985, the 14-year-old joined newcomers Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt for the rom-com flick Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Four years later, she co-starred with Winona Ryder and Christian Slater in the dark comedy Heathers.
But her breakthrough character was just around the corner: playing high school drama queen Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210. Shannen and her onscreen love interest, Luke Perry – who played heartrob Dylan McKay – kept viewers glued to their TV sets.
"There is a special kind of love one has for each other when you experience the journey we did on 90210 and, of course, life in general," the actress said after Luke's sudden and shocking death from a stroke in 2019. He was 52.
After Shannen's passing, Luke's 24-year-old daughter Sophie, took to Instagram to pay tribute on her father's behalf, sharing an image of the fictional couple with a simple heart emoji.
While the character of Brenda was a fan favourite, Shannen was written off the popular show at the end of season 4 as rumours of tension with castmates and stories of difficult on-set behaviour made headlines.
She and Canadian co-star Jason Priestley, 54 – who played her twin brother, Brandon Walsh – discussed the firing on Let's Be Clear, with Shannen citing at-home issues – including a toxic marriage – behind her lack of professionalism.
"I wish that I would have known more about what was happening in your personal life at the time," Jason confessed to his former co-star. "Because I could have hopefully managed it with more compassion."
"I never want to operate like I'm dying" – Shannen
Unluky in love – she had just finalized her divorce from Kurt Iswarienko at the time of her death – Shannen had a passion for animals and was devoted to her pup, Bowie. "I want [my remains] to be mixed with my dog," she said.
Dancing with the Stars, 2010. Competing on DWTS, Shannen and ballroom partner Mark Ballas were eliminated in the first round, but it was all worth it. Explaining that her father, John Doherty, wanted her to go on the show, she joked, "I can't ever say no to my dad!".
Not-So-Charmed Life
Despite the acrimonious parting of ways, Aaron Spelling – her co-star Tori's father and the producer behind 90210 – took a second chance on Shannen, casting her in Charmed, alongside Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs. Her stint lasted three years, ending again in termination due to troubles with the cast.
Shannen's stigma as a "bad girl" followed her, and she was unable to land another major role. "I have a rep," she admitted in 2010. "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."
In 2019, Shannen reunited with her old Beverly Hills buddies for a reboot of the popular show: BH90210. Initially passing on the project, Shannen changed her mind after Luke's death. "When Luke passed away, things drastically changed for me," said Doherty. "It felt like it was a great opportunity to honour him."
"Thank You for the Gift of You" – Brian Austin Green.
Reuniting with original 90210 castmates for the 2019 reboot of the drama – BH90210 – Shannen made it clear she wasn't interested in being a villain on the show. "I just [wanted] to keep spreading good, positive energy into the world as in real life."
Staying Hopeful
Just like Brenda's turbulent relationship with Dylan, Shannen's own love life was peppered with ups and downs. After two unsuccessful marriages – to actor Ashley Hamilton (1993-1994) and poker player Rick Salomon (2002-2003) – Shannen looked to have found her happy ending with photographer Kurt Iswarienko. The couple wed in 2011.
But then came her breast-cancer diagnosis, just four years into their marriage. "It's hard to feel sexy and beautiful when going through chemo, and therefore it's challenging to allow one to love you," Shannen said of Kurt in 2016, who initially stood by her side during her gruelling medical procedures.
Despite a two-year remission period from 2017 to 2019, the disease and treatments thwarted her deepest-held desire: to become pregnant. "Not only did I want a child for myself but I wanted it for my husband," she confessed. "I wanted it for our marriage, I wanted him to have that part of himself fulfilled as well."
Sadly, Shannen and Kurt parted ways last year after claims of his infidelity (their divorce was finalized the day before Shannen's passing). That same year, she received the unthinkable news that her cancer had spread to her bones and brain.
"She is fearless yet full of heart" – Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Drawing from her own experiences, Shannen became and advocate for those with cancer, participating in charity events like Stand Up to Cancer (with Spice Girl Mel B. in 2016). That same year, she was presented with the American Cancer Society's Courage Award for her Bravery. "Courage is embracing what you're going through and trying to get through it with as much dignity as you possibly can," she said as she accepted the honour.
Despite her personal heartbreak and escalating health crisis, Shannen held on to her positive outlook, focusing on her podcast, family, friends and cherished German shepherd, Bowie. "I love my dog more than anything else in the world," she told Grey's Anatomy actress Katherine Heigl during one of her last episodes of Let's Be Clear, which aired on June 28.
Shannen believed her intuitive pup detected her cancer well before her diagnosis, explaining that Bowie would constantly sniff at her right side, possibly trying to draw attention to the disease. Her love of four-legged friends extended to animal advocacy: "Shannen spearheaded pet adoption campaigns and was vocal in the fight against horse slaughter.
"She is fearless, yet full of heart," Shannen's friend Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote of the former Dancing with the Stars contestant, who maintained her upbeat demeanour right up until the end.
"Every day is a gift, and there are so many new things in the works that I think hope is always there," Shannen mused earlier this year. "Listen, I can die today, I can die in 20 years, I don't know... But all I can do is live each day in as much of a positive manner with hope as I can and embrace it and feel like, 'Wow, I get to wake up again today – what can I do?' I believe that positivity that you bring into your life, I think it helps with your while body."