Originally published on 07/15/24

Beverly Hills, 90210 and Heathers star Shannen Doherty died on Saturday, July 13, 2024. The actress was in a long standing battle with cancer, and at age 53 her fight is finally over. To honor Shannen Doherty’s life and lasting legacy, we’re looking at the seven movies and TV shows that she starred in over the years that most touched the audience. 

Doherty was born on April 12, 1971 in Memphis, Tennessee, but moved to Los Angles when she was seven. The actress began working in Hollywood four years later and continued to do so until her death. Doherty was married to Ashley Hamilton from 1993 to 1994, then she married Rick Salomon in 2002, a union that only lasted a year. Finally, the actress wed Kurt Iswarienko in 2011 and they remained together until her death. She had no children.

Shannen Doherty’s death was announced on the morning of July 14, 2024 with her publicist telling PEOPLE magazine, “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. … 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.”

This comes after the actress’ battle with breast cancer, which began in 2015. In 2023, she announced that the cancer had become stage 4, telling PEOPLE, “When you ask yourself, ‘Why me? Why did I get cancer?’ and then ‘Why did my cancer come back? Why am I stage 4?,’ that leads you to look for the bigger purpose in life.”

To learn what the actress worked on before her death, keep reading.

1. ‘Little House on the Prairie’

SYNOPSIS: This show, based on the beloved book series, follows the Ingalls family as they try and deal with life in the American Midwest during the 19th century.

CHARACTER: Jenny Wilder

YEAR OF RELEASE: 1982 to 1983

SHANNEN DOHERTY’S REMEMBERS: In May 2024 the actress revealed on her podcast Let’s Be Clear With Shannen Doherty that “Little House, shaped me in so many ways and it still is the best experience of my entire career.”

INTERESTING FACT: It was rumored that Doherty was sleeping with co-star Melissa Gilbert’s then-husband Bo Brinkman. Gilbert detailed this in her autobiography Prairie Tale and said that the two never spoke to each other again.

WHERE TO STREAM: Peacock.

2. ‘Our House’

SYNOPSIS: After the death of his son, Gus Witherspoon (Wilford Brimley) decides to look after his grandkids, one of which is Doherty’s character, Kris.

CHARACTER: Kris Witherspoon

YEAR OF RELEASE: 1986 to 1988

SHANNEN DOHERTY’S REMEMBERS: Brimley sadly died in 2020, with Doherty writing on Instagram, “I met Wilford when we did Our House together. He taught me a lot on that show. He also gave me a horse named Brownie. Taught me how to ski in Utah. Had 2 African Grey’s that would curse and call his dogs only to laugh at them when they came running. He gave big hugs and told great jokes. He was in fact like a grandpa to me for a very long time. He was talented and will be missed. Wilford”

INTERESTING FACT: Right after filming ended for Our Houses, Doherty went straight into filming Heathers.

WHERE TO STREAM: This show is currently not available for streaming.

3. ‘Heathers’

SYNOPSIS: Three Heathers endure the wrath and rage of Veronica and J.D — a mysterious new kid with a knack for murdering people.

CHARACTER: Heather Duke

YEAR OF RELEASE: 1988

SHANNEN DOHERTY’S REMEMBERS: In 2018 the actress told Entertainment Weekly that “Heathers was way ahead of its time. All of the characters were kind of jerks. Now that’s the norm, but back then we didn’t have a lot of big characters with flaws.”

INTERESTING FACT: In the film’s theatrical trailer, the actress’ name was spelled “Shannon Dougherty.”

WHERE TO STREAM: Tubi.

4. ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’

SYNOPSIS: A dramatic group of friends deal with growing up in Beverly Hills, California.

CHARACTER: Brenda Walsh and Wendy Edwards

YEAR OF RELEASE: 1990 to 1994

SHANNEN DOHERTY’S REMEMBERS: Doherty left the show after season 4 and revealed on her podcast that her marriage was the reason for her departure. “I definitely went through a lot of growing pains on that show. There was beautiful moments for me, and there were really hard moments for me. Towards my last season, I was in a really horrible marriage and there were things transpiring in that marriage that made it very hard for me to consistently be on time for work. And I know that that became a very big problem for the rest of you, as it should be, because if everybody else is on time and you’re waiting for one person, it sucks.“

INTERESTING FACT: The actress was only 19 when the series premiered.

WHERE TO STREAM: PlutoTV.

5. ‘Charmed’

SYNOPSIS: Charmed follows three sisters after they learn they possess magical powers that are needed to defeat the forces of evil.

CHARACTER: Prue Hailliwell

YEAR OF RELEASE: 1998 to 2001

SHANNEN DOHERTY’S REMEMBERS: During filming for season two, Doherty’s co-star Holly Marie Combs was in the hospital getting a tumor removed from her uterus. After Combs was released, Doherty tried to go see her, but remembered that on her podcast that “Alyssa [Milano] and her mom were blocking people from seeing you and at the time you didn’t know. I remember you texted me, ‘Dude are you going to come and see me?’ I also felt my anger at the situation of not being allowed to come see you and how a sort of family had swooped in. [It] caused a weird divide between the two of us that continued throughout season 2. I think I cried every single night.”

INTERESTING FACT: Doherty left the show after the third season because she didn’t get along with her on-screen sister Alyssa Milano.

WHERE TO STREAM: PlutoTV.

6. ‘Burning Palms’

SYNOPSIS: This story told from multiple perspectives follows five people in L.A who seem to fall further and further into darkness.

CHARACTER: Dr. Shelly

YEAR OF RELEASE: 2010

INTERESTING FACT: This film starred Zoe Saldana.

WHERE TO STREAM: PlutoTV.

7. Darkness of Man

SYNOPSIS: After a raid goes wrong, Interpol operative Russell Hatch (Jean-Claude Van Damme) ends up protecting an informant’s son from a gang war.

CHARACTER: Vivian

YEAR OF RELEASE: 2024

INTERESTING FACT: This was the last project Doherty worked on before her death.

WHERE TO STREAM: Amazon Prime Video.

The actress will forever be remembered for her lasting impact on the silver screen. May Shannen Doherty rest in peace.

Link to original: https://www.firstforwomen.com/entertainment/celebrities/shannen-doherty-death-all-about-her-most-iconic-roles