Tributes Pour in for Actress Shannen Doherty Following Her Death From Breast Cancer
Michelle Milliken
Shannen Doherty, the 90s icon who publicly shared her battle with stage IV breast cancer, died from the disease at the age of 53 over the weekend.
On Sunday, Doherty’s publicist Leslie Sloane shared that the "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed" star died July 13. In a statement, Sloane said, “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.”
Soon after the news broke, Doherty’s friends and former co-stars shared memories and tributes to the actress and animal rights activist, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. Four years later, it had returned as metastatic.
Many of the tributes touched on how candid she had been with her battle. She had tackled the topic on her podcast Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty, and she had stressed in many interviews that stage IV cancer patients still have the ability and desire to work and create.
On that topic, Doherty had said, “People just assume that it means you can’t walk, you can’t eat, you can’t work. They put you out to pasture at a very early age —‘You’re done, you’re retired,’ and we’re not… We’re vibrant, and we have such a different outlook on life. We are people who want to work and embrace life and keep moving forward.”
Olivia Munn, who has also recently dealt with own breast cancer diagnosis, shared that Doherty had helped her on her journey with the disease.
She wrote on Instagram, “We bonded through a shared battle and a 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…. True to form, Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stage of fighting this horrific disease.
“Cancer is really fucking scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength and grace.”
Holly Marie Combs, Doherty’s co-star on the series "Charmed", wrote a tribute on Instagram sharing how much support she’d provided throughout their friendship, as well, calling her friend her “better half of 31 years.”
She said, “I know your undying spirit will live in me and my kids who you loved as your own. They will walk with your sense of purpose and pride. They will be truthful and stand up for what is right. No matter what and zero fucks given. Your fire will live on in them and the many other Charmed ones you helped raise. A fierce fighter til the end. My most ardent champion. My loyal protector. My best friend. You taught me the meaning of family. You were and will be forevermore my sister. I love you.”
Her "90210" co-stars quickly shared tributes, as well, including Brian Austin Green, who said he’d miss her more than he knew how to process, and Jennie Garth, who said Doherty was one of the strongest people she’d known, courageous, passionate, determined, and very loving and generous.
Among Doherty’s passions was animal rights causes, including protection of wild horses. She also often spoke fondly of her German shepherd named Bowie.
Longtime friend and fellow 90s superstar Sarah Michelle Gellar asked fans to help animals in some way to honor Doherty.
Gellar wrote on Instagram, “I love all the messages about how @theshando was important to you. So let’s honor her. More than anything, Shan loves animals, especially dogs. In her memory let’s support our favorite animal charities. Whether that’s donating money, stopping by your 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. I know that would make our girl happy (and illicit that deep throaty laugh we all loved).”
If you’d like to read more about Doherty’s close bond with her pup Bowie, and he how helped her with her cancer battle, click here.
