Shannen Doherty, Beverly Hills 90210 Star, Dead at 53

Shannen Doherty, who rose to fame in the early 1990s as Brenda Walsh on the hit series Beverly Hills, 90210, has died. She was 52.

In Memoriam

“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty,” the star’s publicist told PEOPLE. “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.”

Doherty was a former child star, who began her career on such series as Father Murphy in 1981 and Voyagers! in 1982. She was a series regular on as Jenny Wilder on Little House on the Prairie from 1982-83. She played Kris, Deidre Hall’s (Marlena, Days of our Lives) daughter on the family drama Our House.

In 1990, Doherty landed her landmark role of Brenda on cult hit series Beverly Hills, 90210, produced by Aaron Spelling (Dynasty, The Love Boat). She left the program in 1994 and later, worked for Spelling again as Prue Halliwell on the series Charmed.

Doherty reprised Brenda in 90210, a reboot of the original show. She also competed on Dancing With the Stars in 2010. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. In 2017, she had gone into remission however, the cancer returned in 2019. Last year, she revealed that the cancer had spread to her brain.

Following the death of her former leading Beverly Hills, 90210 leading man Luke Perry in 2019, Doherty guested on Riverdale, the series on which Perry starred, in an episode that dealt with his character’s passing.

“It’s going to come out in a matter of days or a week that I’m stage 4,” Doherty told Good Morning America in 2020. “So, my cancer came back, and that’s why I’m here,” Doherty said. “I don’t think I’ve processed it. It’s a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways.”

Doherty is survived by her brother, Sean Doherty. Soap Hub sends condolences to him and Doherty’s loved ones at this difficult time.