'Beverly Hills, 90210' Actress Shannen Doherty Dead At 53

Actress Shannen Doherty, best known for her role as Brenda Walsh on the FOX teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210, died Saturday (July 13) at the age of 53 following a years-long battle with breast cancer, her publicist, Leslie Sloane, confirmed in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE Sunday (July 14) morning.

"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," Sloane said.

"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," she continued.

Doherty was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, which later returned after going into remission in 2017. Doherty publicly revealed her diagnosis in February 2020, having previously kept it a secret following the death of longtime Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Luke Perry in 2019.

"It's going to come out in a matter of days or a week that I'm stage 4. So my cancer came back, and that's why I'm here," Doherty said on Good Morning America. "I don't think I've processed it. It's a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways."

Doherty's role as Brenda Walsh on the iconic series Beverly Hills, 90210 catapulted her to superstardom. The actress left the show in its fourth season, later revisiting the character in special guest appearances on the 2008 reboot 90210, as well as in all six episodes of the 2019 reboot BH90210.

Doherty later played Prue Halliwell on the fantasy drama television series Charmed, which was produced by Beverly Hills, 90210 producer Aaron Spelling and his Spelling Television production company, from 1998 to 2001. The actress also hosted the iHeartMedia podcast Let's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty, a live memoir in which she covered her cancer battle, acting career, relationships and other personal stories.