Rizna Mutmainah
Caring

"Force of nature": Tributes flow for Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty has passed away aged 53. 

The beloved actress, known for her roles on Little House on the Prairie, Charmed and 90210, died over the weekend following a nine-year battle with breast cancer. 

Doherty's death was confirmed by her publicist, Leslie Sloane, who said in a statement: "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."

Tributes have flowed in for Doherty from friends, co-stars and loved ones, who have remembered her as a "force of nature". 

"Shannen Doherty had the heart of a lion," fellow Charmed co-star Rose McGowan wrote in a tribute shared to Instagram. 

"Passion for craft is often mislabelled as trouble. Shannen was passion," McGowan continued.

"I met her in the 90s and was awed. Getting to really know her later in life, a beautiful gift. This woman fought to live," McGowan added, before praising Doherty's work ethic which was "inspiring to the end".

"Shannen's great love for directing, for acting, Holly [Marie Combs], her friends, her parents, dog and her beloved fans was legendary."

"Our lives had been intertwined in a unique way. We laughed at dark forces who wanted us to hate each other, instead we chose love and respect. A soft-hearted badass as there ever was. A force of energy that will live forever in hearts," McGowan wrote. 

"Rest now warrior, we will never forget you dear sister."

Fellow Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano - who Doherty had a complicated relationship with - also paid tribute to her via a statement shared with People

"It's no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and was in awe of," Milano wrote.

"She was a talented actress, beloved by many and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her," she concluded.

Meanwhile, actress Olivia Munn, who bonded with Doherty over their shared breast cancer battle, shared a lengthy tribute to her Instagram story. 

"I am absolutely heartbroken over the passing of Shannen Doherty. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I remembered how she bravely let the world into her journey and reached out to her," Munn wrote.

"We became instant friends – which I honestly couldn't comprehend at times because watching her on 90210 was everything to me when I was 10."

"Looking back on the last text she sent me just a couple months ago, she asked how I was doing and if she could do anything for me.... True to form, Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stages of fighting this horrific disease," Munn continued.

"Cancer is really f---ing scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength and grace.

"I'm sending all my love to her mother who was her best friend, hero and champion every step of the way. Fly so high, my friend 💔💔💔💔".

Doherty's Beverly Hills and 90210 co-star Jason Priestly described her as a  "force of nature" in an Instagram post. 

"I will miss her," he wrote.

"Sending love and light to her family in this dark time."

"Shocked and saddened by news of Shannen Doherty's death," Carol Potter, who played her on-screen mum in 90210, wrote on Instagram.

"What a journey she has been on! Gone too soon. Throughout, she stayed true to herself and gave us an example of courage and perseverance in facing her own death. May she rest in peace.❤️🙏"

Images: Instagram

 

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Caring, Celebrity, Shannen Doherty, Death