Shannon Doherty, who was an icon of the 1980s and 1990s through roles in the likes of Heathers and Beverly Hills 90210 , has passed away. As the New York Times reports, Doherty’s publicist has confirmed that the actress passed on Saturday at her Malibu, California home after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 53 years old.
The statement by Doherty’s publicist read: “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. “”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.” Doherty is best known for her work on television in the 1990s including 90210 and the supernatural drama Charmed . She began her career at a young age, with a few TV guest appearances, a voice role in The Secret of NIMH , and a small role in the Ron Howard comedy Night Shift in 1982 when she was just 10 years old.
She went on to play the role of Jenny Wilder in the final season of Little House on the Prairie and Kris Witherspoon in the NBC drama Our House with Wilford Brimley from 1986 to 1988. The next year saw Doherty earn greater success as part of the titular triad of popular girls in the dark comedy Heathers . That opened the way for her breakout role as Brenda in Beverly Hills, 90210 .
The show was an instant hit on the nascent Fox Net.