Shannen Doherty’s death spells tragic end for iconic 90s TV couple

Shannen Doherty’s death, at almost the same age as her former co-star, marks a tragic end for one of TV’s most iconic couples.

News of Shannen Doherty’s death overnight marks a tragic end for one of the most iconic TV couples of the early 90s, Beverly Hills 90210’s Brenda Walsh and Dylan McKay.

McKay was played by Doherty’s co-star Luke Perry, who died in March 2019 aged just 52.

Doherty, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, would survive another five years past Perry, but has now died at almost the same age — she turned 53 in April.

Perry’s death was on the mind of at least one former 90210 star today.

“So young – so sad. May you RIP Shannen,” Gabrielle Carteris, who played Andrea Zuckerman in the hit 90s teen soap, wrote on Instagram. 

“I know Luke is there with open arms to love you.”

“I know Luke is there with open arms to love you.” Picture: Alamy

Just a couple of 90s teen idols. Picture: Alamy

Perry’s death came after he suffered a massive stroke at his Los Angeles home in late February 2019. After a second stroke, his family decided to remove him from life support.

Following his death, Doherty made a moving cameo on the TV show he was starring in, Riverdale. She said she was “deeply honoured” to be able to pay tribute to her co-star.

Doherty’s health worsened in recent years as her cancer spread, but as recently as a few weeks ago she said on her podcast she was feeling “hopeful” about the future with new cancer treatments available.

Doherty and Perry were among the core initial cast when Beverly Hills, 90210 debuted on screens in late 1990.

The glossy Aaron Spelling soap, about the lives of a group of high schoolers in an affluent Los Angeles, was an instant hit.

Doherty played Brenda Walsh, sister to Brandon (Jason Priestley), who entered into a relationship with school bad boy Dylan – Perry – in the show’s first season.

With its hot young cast, the show was an instant 90s hit.

But Dylan’s feelings for Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth) made for a dramatic TV love triangle, cause of much on-screen friction before Doherty left 90210 after the show’s fourth season.

Garth was among the former 90210 cast members to pay moving tribute to Doherty today, writing on Instagram: “I am still processing my tremendous grief over the loss of my long time friend Shannen, the woman I have often described as one of the strongest people I have ever known. Our connection was real and honest.

Tori Spelling pays tribute.

Priestley, Doherty and Perry.

“We were so often pitted against each other but none of that reflected the truth of our real relationship which was one built on mutual respect and admiration.”

She described Doherty as “courageous, passionate, determined and very loving and generous.”
Doherty’s TV brother Priestley wrote on social media that he was “shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of my friend Shannen. She was a force of nature and I will miss her. Sending love and light to her family in this dark time.”

Co-star Brian Austin Green wrote that Doherty was “a big part of my understanding of love. I’ll miss you more than I know how to process right now. Thank you for the gift of you.”

And Tori Spelling shared a photo of she and Doherty together with a simple caption: “I don’t have words yet … but WE knew and that’s what matters.”