Shannen Doherty — the star of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Heathers” and “Charmed,” among dozens of other credits — was a gifted actor who immediately got your attention on screen. Her black hair, green eyes and slightly crooked teeth made her stand out, even as a child: No one looked like her. And then her line delivery, with her forceful, at times awkward cadence, made viewers lean in to listen.
Doherty frequently looked pissed; it was easy to think that perhaps she was pissed. Generation X lost an icon this weekend with Doherty’s death at age 53. She’s the second member of the “Beverly Hills, 90210” cast to die, after Luke Perry died of a stroke in 2019 at age 52.
That’s two too many, of course, but devoted listeners of Doherty’s “Let’s Be Clear” podcast, and I am one of them, may be feeling especially confused today, and bereft. I listened not only as a journalist, observer and fan who’d found her fascinating since her explosive fame in the early ‘90s — but as an acquaintance of Doherty’s who had discussed cancer with her on a more personal level, having gone through my own cancer nightmare, with ovarian cancer. On the June 23 episode of “Let’s Be Clear” — just three weeks ago — an emotional Doherty talked about how she was going on a new chemo drug, an infusion, after having been on pills for years.
As she choked back tears, Doherty was frank about how scared she was. But she also discussed her hopes, because her cancer cel.
