Shannen Doherty, known for her roles on the wildly popular series “Beverly Hills, 90210” and the witchcraft fantasy “Charmed,” has passed away at the age of 53. Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and courage to fight the disease for many years. His dog Bowie was the first to detect his cancer.
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of the actress Shannen Doherty,” said her publicist, Leslie Sloane. “On Saturday, July 13, she succumbed to cancer after a long battle with the disease. A devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend surrounded by her loved ones as well as his dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.
Shannen Doherty first gained public attention in 1990 by playing Brenda Walsh on Fox’s “Beverly Hills, 90210.” As part of the iconic Walsh family, along with her twin brother Brandon, played by Jason Priestley, Doherty’s character is a fresh-faced brunette from Minnesota navigating the glamorous and often chaotic world of Beverly Hills. The show’s depiction of the contrasts between the down-to-earth Walsh family and their peers’ often dramatic lives struck a chord with viewers, making it a defining series of the 1990s.
Following his success in “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Doherty continued to build her career with a breakout role in “Charmed,” in which she played Prue Halliwell, the eldest of three sisters. Her performance in the series earned her a dedicated fan base. and cemented his status as a beloved television figure.
Jason Priestley, her on-screen brother from “Beverly Hills, 90210,” expressed his grief, recalling their years of work and togetherness.
“Shannen is an incredible talent and a wonderful person,” Priestley said. “She faced her challenges with courage and grace and she will be greatly missed.”
Bowie: The Dog Who Spotted Breast Cancer by Shannen Doherty:
Before Shannen Doherty, the former star of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” was diagnosed with breast cancer, her faithful dog, Bowie, was the first to sense that something was wrong. Doherty shared a preview of an upcoming episode of Entertainment Tonight (the video can be watched below) that Bowie exhibited unusual behavior by obsessively sniffing a particular spot on his right side.
“She would obsessively sniff right here on my right side for a long time before,” Doherty revealed. “So, it made sense when I was diagnosed.”
“I had breast cancer that had spread to the lymph nodes, and from one of my surgeries, we discovered that some of the cancer cells could go out of the lymph nodes,” Doherty explained in her interview with ET . “So for that reason, we are chemo, and then after chemo, I will have radiation.”
“When I came back from surgery, [Bowie] again was kind of right in this area,” she recounted, gesturing towards her right side. “Then when I first went through chemo, he sniffed my whole body up and down. And he was always protective before, but he became this crazy, protective dog. It’s hard to get close to me when he’s there.”
Doherty shared a touching Instagram post featuring “Ms. Bowie” lying next to him on the bed. She opened up to her followers about her struggles with chemotherapy and how it was a relief that her dog didn’t move.
“Every person’s cancer journey is different. For me, chemo was horrible, and believe me, we tried almost everything. So, days like this have become quite common. I’m learning that it’s ok to fall into bed and give in to exhaustion, nausea, or pain,” Doherty wrote. “I learned so much from all the wonderful people who shared their personal stories with me on Instagram.”
Shannen Doherty’s story highlights the deep bond between people and their pets and how Bowie’s intuition played an important role in her health journey. Bowie’s protective instinct and comforting presence was a beacon of hope and support during one of the most challenging times of Doherty’s life.
Rest In Peace, Shannen. You were an amazing artist and will be missed. We send our heartfelt condolences to your family and friends during this difficult time. May we all be united in hope and determination to see cancer disappear from this world.
Click the video below to watch his interview:
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Featured image credits: Shannen Doherty screenshot via YouTube video screenshot here and her beautiful dog Bowie via YouTube video screenshot here. Rest in peace.