Shannen Doherty bio, age, cancer, height, husband, children, career path

Biography of Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty was an American actress whose filmography includes several dozen entries. However, most viewers know her from the cult series "Charmed," where she played the witch Prue Halliwell from 1998 to 2001. In early 2015, doctors diagnosed her with breast cancer, and since then, she had been battling the disease, which progressed to a terminal stage with brain metastases in 2023. In July 2024, the actress passed away.

Childhood and Teenage Years

Shannen Maria Doherty was born on April 12, 1971, in the American city of Memphis, Tennessee, to a mortgage consultant and a beauty salon owner. Her ancestry included Scottish, English, and Irish descent, which seemingly influenced the strong character of the future actress. Although in early childhood, she was gentle and easygoing, enjoyed horseback riding, and loved dogs.

Everything changed when her family (Shannen grew up with her older brother Sean) moved from the relatively provincial Memphis to the glamorous Los Angeles. She made new friends who suggested she join a theater group. Her parents weren't thrilled about the idea, but Shannen insisted and fully immersed herself in this new world.

She began performing in amateur plays, quickly got comfortable on stage, and soon felt like a real star. At the age of eleven, the young actress was invited to participate in the TV show "Father Murphy." Appearing in just two episodes, she made an impression on the creators of teen series and soon received a new role in the youth series "Little House on the Prairie."

Acting Career

By the age of nineteen, Doherty had already appeared in a dozen TV shows and considered herself a mature, accomplished actress. So, when director Aaron Spelling offered her the role of Brenda in the series "Beverly Hills, 90210," she took it as a given. At that time, Shannen didn't yet know what real fame was or how it would impact her life.

Fans wouldn't leave the actress alone, completely identifying her with her character. This irritated Shannen, who was the complete opposite of the modest Brenda. To prove it, Doherty went all out: she was late to shoots, threw wild parties, and drove under the influence afterward. She infuriated the crew, provoked scandals, and her name was a staple in the tabloids. The last straw was a revealing photoshoot for "Playboy" magazine, after which Spelling decided to part ways with the unruly actress.

Shannen Doherty in the series "Beverly Hills, 90210"

However, a few years later, he invited Shannen back for a lead role in the series "Charmed," pretending that all misunderstandings between them were in the past. The series was successful: viewers worldwide followed the adventures of the three witch sisters Prue (played by Shannen), Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), and Piper (Holly Marie Combs).

But Doherty only lasted three seasons: arguments with co-star Alyssa Milano, legal issues for driving under the influence, and scandalous tabloid articles began. Milano refused to work on the same set with the troublemaker. Choosing between Alyssa and Shannen, the producers sided with the former, so the writers had to remove Prue from "Charmed." In the storyline, a demon named Shax kills the witch, after which her half-sister Paige (Rose McGowan) takes her place.

Doherty tried to make it seem like everything happened at her initiative. "I've done everything I wanted in this series. Now, after three years of work and 66 episodes, the producers kindly gave me the opportunity to pursue other projects," she told the press. Later, she claimed she could no longer stand Milano's constant presence.

Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano never got along

After that, the actress appeared in several more series, which, unfortunately, couldn't match the popularity of Spelling's soap operas. In 2008, Shannen returned in the continuation of "Beverly Hills," appearing in several episodes as a guest star.

Charmed, Prue's Death Scene

Shannen Doherty's Personal Life

Fans' adoration and worldwide fame did not bring Doherty happiness and peace in her personal life. She first married at 22 to musician and aspiring actor Ashley Hamilton. A year later, they separated due to constant arguments and his jealousy over her immense popularity. Her second marriage to Rick Salomon lasted even less, ending after seven months due to his affair with Paris Hilton.

In 2011, Shannen's father passed away. She found solace in marrying photographer Kurt Iswarienko. He seemed to be a reliable support for Doherty during the tough challenges life had in store for her. When Shannen was first diagnosed with cancer, he was by her side, and they celebrated her remission together.

But when the cancer returned, Kurt suddenly distanced himself. Shannen discovered that he had been seeing another woman for almost two years behind her back, just before her brain tumor removal surgery. Initially, she was too shocked and "numb" from the medication to make a decisive move, but later she filed for divorce. Her agent stated:

Divorce was the last thing Shannen wanted. Unfortunately, she felt she had no other choice

Cancer, Last Years of Life, and Death

In March 2015, the actress was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent several courses of chemotherapy, but the cancer progressed, and she had to undergo a mastectomy.

In 2015, Shannen Doherty was diagnosed with cancer

After losing her breast, the star didn't give up. Through social media, she tried to support others in similar situations and boost their spirits on the challenging road to recovery.

The tumor metastasized to her lymphatic system. Shannen underwent another round of chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy, enduring all the stages of this ordeal, where losing her hair was the least painful.

Despite the illness, the actress continued to act: in the horror film "Bethany," "Undateable John," and the action movie "Fortress."

In April 2017, the actress announced her cancer was in remission. "The next 5 years will be crucial – during this period, the tumor might return." Unfortunately, fate was not on her side. In February 2020, the actress revealed that in 2019 she was diagnosed with stage four, the last stage of breast cancer.

Despite her health condition, she didn't refuse to participate in the reboot of the series "Beverly Hills, 90210." On the contrary, she decided to return to the role of Brenda at all costs to support viewers with cancer.

I will work 16-hour days so people can see and say: 'If she can work, then other patients with the last stage of cancer can too.'

In October 2020, Shannen told journalists that she was preparing for her departure, recording video messages for her loved ones and friends. Doherty's husband added that despite the dire situation, his wife was full of strength and tried to stay strong not to upset her family.

The cast of the reboot of "Beverly Hills, 90210"

In January 2023, doctors found metastases in her bones and brain. The countdown was in months. Shannen admitted she had accepted thoughts of death but refused to give up:

I'm not done with life. I'm not done with love. I'm not done creating. I'm not finished yet, and I hope to change things for the better. I'm just not finished.

Shannen Doherty passed away on June 13, 2024. A couple of weeks before that, she began a new course of chemotherapy. The actress left life surrounded by her closest people and her beloved dog named Bowie.

Shannen Doherty shortly before her death

The tragic news was announced by the actress's representative, Leslie Sloane:

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. 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 bequeathed to be cremated, with her ashes later mixed with her father's and her dog's ashes, then scattered over Malibu, where they "spent many wonderful times."