Beverly Hills, 90210, Charmed actor Shannen Doherty dies at 53

"It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty," publicist Leslie Sloane said.

"On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease."

Doherty had been public about her battle with breast cancer saying in 2015 that she was undergoing treatment for the disease.

In 2023 she had a brain tumour removed and revealed that the cancer had spread to her bones.

The actress, who had previously starred in the movie Heathers, gained widespread popularity on Beverly Hills 90210 for her portrayal of Brenda, an honour roll student from Minnesota who struggled to fit in with her classmates in the wealthy zip code.

Her character on the show became entwined in a love triangle with Dylan McKay, played by Luke Perry and Kelly Taylor, played by Jennie Garth.

In real life Doherty clashed with Garth and other cast mates and left the show during its fourth season in 1994. The show continued through 2000 without her.

In 1998, Beverly Hills 90210 producer Aaron Spelling cast Doherty in supernatural series Charmed as the oldest of three sisters with magical powers.

The show was a hit but also subject to reports of behind-the-scenes turmoil.

In 2023, on a podcast called Let's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty, the actor said she took "full responsibility for her actions" and acknowledged her behaviour "would get a little carried away" when she was nightclubbing in her early 20s.

She also said she spoke up more than other women working in television at the time, telling Spelling and others when she thought a script needed improvement.

"I was raised to have an opinion, and that my opinion should be valued, so I just kept on pressing up against that machine, up against men who didn't really want to hear my opinion," she said on the podcast.

Later, "I learned the simple art of diplomacy. I learned that there might be a nicer way to say some things," she said.

The actor reprised the role of Brenda for 90210 reboots in 2008 and 2019 and said she and Garth had reconciled after the two became adults and left their teenage conflicts behind.

Fellow Charmed actor Rose McGowan said "Shannen Doherty had the heart of a lion".

"Passion for craft is often mislabeled as trouble. Shannen was passion. I met her in the 90s and was awed. Getting to really know her later in life, a beautiful gift. This woman fought to live," she posted to social media.

"Shannen knew how to be a star because she was one since childhood. Her work ethic inspiring to the end. Shannen's great love for directing, for acting, Holly, her friends, her parents, dog and her beloved fans was legendary.

"Our lives had been intertwined in a unique way. We laughed at dark forces who wanted us to hate each other, instead we chose love and respect. A soft-hearted badass as there ever was. A force of energy that will live forever in hearts."

Actor Brian Krause, who played the role of Leo Wyatt on Charmed, said "you showed me what strength is. You taught me to be fearless and live with purpose. To know your value and stick to your determinations. Forever loved! Truly heartbroken".

Brian Austin Green, who played David Silver in Beverly Hills, 90210, said "Shan. My sister. You loved me through everything".

"You were a big part of my understanding of love. I'll miss you more than I know how to process right now. Thank you for the gift of you," he said.

Comedian Dave Coulier also mourned the actor saying "I met her during the Full House days. She was lovely and had a beautiful smile. Today, I'll also think about the women in my life who all succumbed to cancer".

Doherty was born in Memphis, Tennessee on April 12, 1971 and began acting as a child.

At age 11 she played Jenny Wilder in the final season of TV classic Little House on the Prairie.

Doherty was married three times, most recently to photographer Kurt Iswarienko, she filed for divorce in 2023.

She was also married to actor Ashley Hamilton for five months in 1993 and to poker player Rick Salomon in 2002.

With Australian Associated Press