Shannen Doherty honored by former 'Beverly Hills, 90210' and 'Charmed' co-stars
Shannen Doherty's friends and former co-stars are paying tribute to the late actress.
In a statement provided to USA TODAY, Alyssa Milano honored Doherty, who starred opposite her on "Charmed" and died Saturday at 53 after years of battling cancer.
"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 said. "She was a talented actress, beloved by many and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her."
Doherty, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, died "surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie," her publicist Leslie Sloane confirmed.
In December, "Charmed" stars Holly Marie Combs and Doherty alleged that Milano got the latter fired from the WB show. Milano denied this, saying she didn't "have the power to get anyone fired." But Doherty said she felt compelled to speak out about the feud amid her battle with cancer.
"With fighting horrific disease every day of my life, it is also incredibly important to me that the truth actually be told as opposed to the narrative that others put out there for me," Doherty said at MegaCon Orlando in February. "We told it together, we told our truths and we are standing by our truths."
Rose McGowan, who replaced Doherty on "Charmed" after the actress was fired, also paid tribute on Instagram, saying that getting to know her was a "beautiful gift."
"Our lives had been intertwined in a unique way," McGowan said. "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."
She added, "May angels and God carry her to the holy kingdom where she is healthy, young and wild forever. Rest now warrior, we will never forget you dear sister."
On a Monday episode of the "Charmed" rewatch podcast "House of Halliwell," actor Brian Krause said he was "shocked and devastated" by Doherty's death and that she "will dearly be missed." Doherty had recently joined the podcast as a co-host. "We are going to continue on in her name," Krause said.
'Charmed' feud: Holly Marie Combs alleges Alyssa Milano had Shannen Doherty fired from show
'Beverly Hills, 90210' castmates Jason Priestley, Tori Spelling pay tribute to Shannen Doherty
"Beverly Hills, 90210" star Jason Priestley, who played Brandon Walsh, paid tribute to his former co-star on Instagram.
"Shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of my friend Shannen," he wrote. "She was a force of nature and I will miss her. Sending love and light to her family in this dark time."
Gabrielle Carteris, who starred as Andrea Zuckerman on "Beverly Hills, 90210," wrote, "So young ? so sad. May you RIP Shannon. I know Luke (Perry) is there with open arms to love you."
Perry, who played Dylan McKay, a romantic interest of Doherty's character Brenda Walsh, died of a massive stroke in 2019. He was 52.
On her Instagram story, Sophie Perry, daughter of Luke Perry, shared a photo of Doherty and her late father with a heart emoji.
Tori Spelling, who played Donna Martin on the show, shared a photo of herself with Doherty on Instagram accompanied by broken heart emojis. "I don't have outward words yet ... but WE knew and that's what matters," Spelling wrote.
Jennie Garth, who starred as Kelly Taylor on "90210," described Doherty as "as one of the strongest people I have ever known."
"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," Garth wrote on Instagram. "She was courageous, passionate, determined and very loving and generous. I will miss her and will always honor her deeply in my heart and in my memories."
Brian Austin Green, who played David Silver, wrote in his Instagram story, "Shan. My sister ... .. You loved me through everything. You were 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."
Carol Potter, who played Cindy Walsh, said she was "shocked and saddened" by the news and that Doherty "stayed true to herself and gave us an example of courage and perseverance in facing her own death."
In a statement provided to USA TODAY, Fox, the network that aired "Beverly Hills, 90210," said it is "grateful for Shannen's undeniable talent and light," adding, "While Shannen was far too young to leave us, over her decades-long career, she built a legacy that will be remembered and celebrated forever."
Shannen Doherty dies at 53: 'Beverly Hills, 90210' star had battled cancer since 2015
Dave Coulier also paid tribute to Doherty, whom he said he met while starring on "Full House." "She was lovely and had a beautiful smile," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The actor added, "Today, I'll also think about the women in my life who all succumbed to cancer — my mom, my sister, Sharon and my niece, Shannon, who all were so strong and so beautiful."
Olivia Munn became 'instant friends' with Shannen Doherty amid cancer battle
In an Instagram story, Olivia Munn, who revealed earlier this year that she has been battling breast cancer, said she was "absolutely heartbroken" by Doherty's death.
"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 shared. "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."
Munn said that Doherty texted her a few months ago to ask how she was doing and offer to help her.
"True to form, Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stage of fighting this horrific disease," the actress wrote, concluding, "Fly so high, my friend."
Contributing: Kelly Lawler and Edward Segarra
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shannen Doherty death: Tributes pour in from '90210,' 'Charmed' stars
