Shannen Doherty became a household name thanks to the success of the original Beverly Hills, 90210. This was the show that ushered in a new breed of angsty teen drama, and it’s fair to say that the show became a pop culture touchstone for an entire generation.
The various stars of 90210 have gone on to achieve many more accomplishments, but they’ve also faced some serious setbacks. This is particularly true of Shannen Doherty, someone who has struggled with cancer for several years now. Recently, she revealed more information about what is happening to her body as well as what it means for the future.
How has Doherty’s battle with cancer been going, and what unexpected ally did she make in this battle? Keep reading to discover the answers!
Becoming a television sensation
Shannen Doherty is still best remembered for her time on the iconic television show Beverly Hills 90210. Her career didn’t start there, though: as a child actor, she had appeared in various productions, including getting a memorable recurring role in Little House On the Prairie. However, the world didn’t get a great look at the adult Doherty until she starred in the excellent black comedy Heathers alongside Christian Slater and Winona Ryder in 1988.
Her amazing performance there helped her land the coveted role of Brenda Walsh in Aaron Spelling’s career-making series Beverly Hills, 90210. While Doherty would leave the show after its fourth season, she had a good motivation: she was now a famous actor on top of the world, and she wanted to explore more challenging roles beyond that of a weekly teen drama.
Sadly, nothing would be more dramatic than the cancer diagnosis much later that threatened to end both her career and her life.