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Shannen Doherty — who played a Beverly Hills High student, a Heather, and a Charmed one — died this week. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, which metastasized to her brain in 2023. Friends and co-stars poured out their grief for one of the women who defined the ’90s. Holly Marie Combs, Doherty’s co-star on Charmed and ally in the show’s long afterlife, said there was a hole in her heart. “My most ardent champion. My loyal protector. My best friend,” she wrote on Instagram. “You taught me the meaning of family. You were and will be forevermore my sister. I love you.” Sarah Michelle Gellar, one of Doherty’s closest friends, wrote “I keep reminding myself it only hurts this much because, there was so much love.”
Her Mallrats director called Doherty “an American icon” and claimed she broke the internet before the internet. Her on-screen brother, Jason Priestley, wrote: “She was a force of nature and I will miss her.” Many of these same co-stars tributed Luke Perry when he died suddenly of a stroke in 2019. Rose McGowan, who replaced Doherty on Charmed, wrote she had “the heart of a lion. Passion for craft is often mislabeled as trouble. Shannen was passion.”
A tribute from Fox Entertainment said the actor elevated the network with her craft. “All of us at Fox mourn the loss of our friend Shannen Doherty and grieve alongside her family, friends, and fans,” Fox said in a statement. “We are grateful for Shannen’s undeniable talent and light, especially through her unforgettable, groundbreaking role in Beverly Hills, 90210, the iconic series that cemented her place among television royalty and helped define the bold, provocative identity Fox became known for. While Shannen was far too young to leave us, over her decadeslong career, she built a legacy that will be remembered and celebrated forever.” Charmed co-star Brian Krause wrote simply, “You showed me what strength is.” Below are more remembrances from Brian Austin Green, Gabrielle Carteris, Dan Savage, and more.
This post has been updated.
