• Faith: Christian
• Career: Actress
• Birthday:  April 12, 1971
• Date of Death:  July 13, 2024

Shannen Doherty was an actress known for her many roles in television and film, including as Jenny Wilder in Little House on the Prairie (1982–1983); Maggie Malene in Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985); Kris Witherspoon in Our House (1986–1988); Heather Duke in Heathers (1989); Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–1994), 90210 (2008–2009) and BH90210 (2019); Prue Halliwell in Charmed (1998–2001); and Dobbs in Fortress (2021).

Shannen Doherty was born April 12 1971, in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee. As the daughter of a bank employee father and a beauty parlor-owning mother, Doherty grew up understanding the value of hard work and perseverance. Her upbringing laid the groundwork for the tenacity she would later become known for. At the tender age of 7, Doherty's life took a turn when her family relocated to Los Angeles. It was this move that lit the spark of her acting passion. Embracing the opportunities of her new surroundings, she started to explore the world of acting. A natural talent, she quickly found herself appearing in TV guest roles, capturing the attention of casting directors. Her break came when she secured a regular role in the beloved drama 'Little House on the Prairie'.

The path to fame and fortune for Shannen Doherty accelerated rapidly in the late 80s when she was cast as Brenda Walsh in the seminal TV drama 'Beverly Hills, 90210.' This pivotal role saw her garnering global acclaim, winning legions of devoted fans. Following her memorable stint on 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' Doherty starred in 'Charmed,' a popular supernatural drama. This show solidified her foothold in the world of television, allowing her to showcase a different side to her acting capabilities.

However, her career was not devoid of controversy. Beginning with her time working on Beverly Hills, 90210, Doherty gained a reputation in the media for bad behavior that dominated her public image for many years.

In early 1993, Doherty was briefly engaged to Max Factor heir Dean Jay Factor before he filed for a restraining order on May 25, 1993. He alleged physical violence and threats on the part of Doherty, although Doherty's father claimed that the abuse came from Factor and not her.

On October 11, 1993, Doherty married Ashley Hamilton, the son of actors George Hamilton and Alana Collins. They filed for divorce in April 1994.

In 2002, Doherty married Rick Salomon, but the marriage was annulled after nine months.

On October 15, 2011, Doherty married photographer Kurt Iswarienko in Malibu, California. However, in April 2023, Doherty announced that she had filed for divorce from Iswarienko.

In 2015, Shannen Doherty faced an adversary far greater than any Hollywood drama - breast cancer. She embraced her diagnosis with openness and courage, giving the world a front-row seat to her journey. After two years of grueling treatments, the news everyone had been hoping for came in 2017: Doherty was in remission.

On February 4, 2020, Doherty announced her cancer had returned a year prior, and that she is now stage four. In October 2021, Doherty provided an update on her cancer treatment during an interview with Juju Chang of ABC News. In June 2023, she announced that the cancer had spread to her brain and is terminal. In November 2023, she revealed that the cancer had spread to her bones.

Doherty passed away July 13, 2024 after facing breast cancer for several years. “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,” said Doherty’s publicist Leslie Sloane. She was 53.

Shannen Doherty's Religious Beliefs

Faith was an unwavering pillar in the life of Shannen Doherty. Raised in a Southern Baptist household, she was instilled with values and beliefs that guided her throughout her journey.

In the face of adversity, such as her cancer diagnosis and subsequent battles, Doherty often leaned on her faith. She candidly shared in interviews how her spirituality provided comfort and strength, becoming a source of solace during her darkest times. For Doherty, her faith was not simply a belief system, but a personal sanctuary that was instrumental in her fight against cancer.