Shannen Doherty, known for her roles on the wildly popular series “Beverly Hills, 90210” and on the witchcraft fantasy “Charmed,” has died after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She was 53.
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress, Shannen Doherty,” Doherty’s publicist Leslie Sloane said in a statement. “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 rose to fame in 1990 as the fresh-faced brunette Brenda Walsh on Fox’s “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Along with her twin brother Brandon, played by Jason Priestly, the Walshes were the classic fish-out-of-water family that had recently moved from Minnesota to Beverly Hills and were constantly amazed at the antics of the L.A. rich kids.
The romance between Brenda and Dylan, played by Luke Perry, spawned controversy in the first season for the storyline where Brenda considers losing her virginity. Their later breakup, when Dylan hooked up with her best friend Kelly, played by Jennie Garth, was also big news, and the show was considered groundbreaking in its willingness to address topics like drug abuse and racism.
The show was a massive hit, and with its success came an inordinate amount of scrutiny and gossip surrounding the cast, including teen-aged Doherty. Though the show had started out with Garth’s Kelly as the less likable character, the perception soon changed and Brenda become the cast member everyone loved to hate on. She was labeled a diva in the press and there was even a pre-internet newsletter called “I Hate Brenda.” Doherty appeared in 111 episodes before leaving the series at the end of season four, amid reports of friction with other cast members, particularly Garth.
By the time the show was rebooted two more times, everyone had mellowed with age and Doherty returned as Brenda in the 2008 revival “90210” for one season and in the later revival 2019 “BH90210.”
After her stormy departure from “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Doherty found her footing on “Charmed,” the supernatural drama following three sisters who discover they are witches and must work together to fight evil. She played the oldest of the three sisters, Prue Halliwell, alongside Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs. In 2000 and 2001, she directed three episodes of the series — “Be Careful What You Witch For,” “The Good, The Bad, and The Cursed,” and “All Hell Breaks Loose,” the last episode she appeared in. Her character was killed off when she left the series at the end of the third season.
Born in Memphis, Tenn., Doherty moved to Los Angeles with her family as a child and got her start at age 10 with a role on the series “Father Murphy.” Michael Landon saw her in the series and cast her as Jenny Wilder in “Little House on the Prairie” at age 11.
Doherty then had a recurring role on the family series “Our House” with Wilfred Brimley,
In feature films, she appeared in another teen classic, “Heathers,” as well as in “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and Kevin Smith’s “Mallrats” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.”
Among the other shows she appeared on were “North Shore,” and “Riverdale” as well as in a number of TV movies.
In 2006, she produced a reality show, “Breaking Up With Shannen Doherty,” where she helped people in relationship peril who wanted to get out but couldn’t do it on their own, and later appeared in another reality show, “Off the Map With Shannen and Holly.”
Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2015, and in 2017 said she was in remission. But by 2019 the cancer had returned and spread. She continued working, with roles in TV movies including “Dying to Belong” and “List of a Lifetime.” Doherty also hosted a popular podcast, “Let’s Be Clear With Shannen Doherty,” in which she discussed her career and talked frankly about how breast cancer had impacted her life.
In June 2023, she said she had been receiving radiation for cancer that had spread to her brain.
She was briefly married to George Hamilton’s son Ashley Hamilton and poker player Rick Salomon, and in 2011 she married photographer Kurt Iswarienko. They filed for divorce in 2023.
Family Is Searching for Missing Denver Hairstylist Who Disappeared After Leaving Her Apartment
In addition to the worried mother of a Denver-based hairstylist, who shared photos of her missing daughter before she disappeared, others are also searching for her.
The loved ones of a 34-year-old Denver hairstylist named Jax Gratton are in search of her after she went missing. According to the Denver Police Department (DPD), Gratton has not been seen in nearly two weeks after leaving her apartment near the 4200 block of E. Iliff Avenue around 10 p.m. on April 15, 2025.
As confirmed by loved ones, Gratton had planned to step out briefly the night she vanished, telling her roommate she would be gone for only a few hours. But that quick outing spiraled into a troubling ordeal when Gratton failed to return home.
Her mother, Cherilynne Gratton-Camis, grew uneasy after several days of no contact, especially on Easter Sunday. This marked the first ominous break in a lifetime pattern of unwavering connection.
“Jax calls me when great things happen and when bad things happen, and every single holiday. She has never missed a holiday,” Gratton-Camis shared.
That particular evening — April 15 — a photo taken from a camera inside Gratton’s apartment captured her just before she walked out the door. No one knew the details of her outing. “It’s just, it’s absolutely a mystery,” her mother said. “No one knows who she was meeting, who picked her up.”
For those who know her well, Gratton’s sudden disappearance doesn’t align with her usual behavior. Brandy Carey, a close friend, emphasized how deeply concerning the situation is, citing how out of character it is for Gratton to leave behind her beloved cat, Madam Francesca, without making arrangements.
“Her not taking her medication, not taking her makeup, but also the fact that she missed several appointments with clients,” adds to the growing concern, Carey told Denver7.
“We just want her to come home. That’s what we just want: Her home, happy, healthy,” stated Carey. In the wake of her vanishing, loved ones have rallied online and on foot, sharing her images, her story, and their hopes.
Gratton’s family and friends are also urging the community to alert the police if they have any tips to report, no matter how big or small.
Should anyone have any information concerning Gratton’s whereabouts, they can contact Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-2000. Tipsters also have the option to remain anonymous and could earn a reward of up to $2,000.
Gratton’s loved ones have also expressed gratitude for the support civilians have shown for the hairstylist and the disappearance case.
“She’s very caring. She cares about the people that she comes in contact with, and that doesn’t matter if she’s known you forever or she’s just known you in this moment,” expressed Carey.
Yet, amid the activity and public support, a single, haunting plea from Gratton-Camis continues to echo, “I’m scared for her safety. I just want proof of life.”
In an effort to amplify the search, a Facebook group titled “Find Jax Gratton Denver” has become a central hub for updates and appeals from loved ones. Among the most poignant posts came directly from Gratton’s mother, who shared a set of stills showing her daughter in the final moments before she disappeared.
Captured by an indoor surveillance camera, the images reveal Gratton in a patterned jacket, striped shirt, and loose-fitting pants, holding two bags as she steps toward the door.
The accompanying message from Gratton-Camis reflected a mother’s anguish and suspicion. Gratton’s mom expressed that the photos do not appear to indicate that her daughter was headed out on a date.
She also referenced the fact that Gratton left behind important personal effects. Additionally, Gratton-Camis explained her decision to delay adding certain individuals to the group and hinted at a larger conversation with the detective on the case, saying, “Will share at a later date cause [sic] I think it might be important.”
Her words, layered with grief and urgency, also revealed the emotional toll the search has taken. “I have a lot of work to do. Because I was asking for Jane Does and if course did not think they would list her as male. My love for you all is so strong [sic],” concluded Gratton’s mom.
In a separate post to the Facebook group, Princess Sullivan shared a visual collage of Gratton’s tattoos in hopes that someone might recognize her.
The post features close-up shots of several distinct designs inked across Gratton’s arms, shoulders, and chest, including words, geometric lines, and illustrative pieces.
It is a simple yet powerful contribution to the growing community effort — another way to keep Gratton’s image alive in the public eye, and perhaps spark a lead that could bring her home.
Among the many voices joining the search is that of Theresa Becker, a client of the hairstylist who turned to the group after discovering Gratton had gone missing.
Becker shared that she last heard from Gratton on April 15, the same day she vanished. It was also the day they confirmed an upcoming appointment.
When Gratton never showed up on April 18, worry quickly set in. “She means so much more to me than just gorgeous hair,” Becker wrote.
“We talked about so much. We connected on experiences few [sic] can relate to. She helped me feel a little more at home in the world.” Eager to support the search, Becker expressed her intent to join volunteers canvassing near Washington Park.
Outside of the dedicated search group, Gratton’s mother has also taken to her own Facebook page to raise awareness. In a deeply personal post, she pleaded for anyone who may have seen or heard from Gratton after April 11 to come forward.
Underneath her message, she shared a collage of photos capturing her daughter in different moments — posing with sun-kissed hair against a tropical backdrop, smiling with light curls in a salon mirror, and posing with her hair dyed a soft reddish tone.
As the days stretch, those closest to Gratton continue to reflect on the many ways she has left her mark.
Studio owner Dylan Scholinski, a longtime friend, recently shared a moving message that spans decades of their connection, from the vibrant days of her youth to the creative spirit she carried into adulthood.
His message echoed the same sentiment resonating across every post and every plea: hope. While the uncertainty weighs heavily, the community surrounding Gratton refuses to give up, urging others to keep sharing, keep searching, and above all, to believe that she can be found.
For those who have known her in fleeting moments or lifelong bonds, the wish remains the same — that this chapter ends with Gratton safely home.
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