Shannen Doherty Remembered: Tributes Pour In on the Anniversary of Her Passing

One year has passed since the world bid farewell to Shannen Doherty, the beloved actress best known for her iconic roles in Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed. On July 13, 2024, Doherty succumbed to a long and courageous battle with cancer at the age of 53. Her passing left a void in Hollywood and among her many fans worldwide. This week, her friends, co-stars, and admirers took to social media to share heartfelt tributes, reflecting on her legacy, strength, and indomitable spirit.

Tori Spelling and Ian Ziering Reflect on a Year Without Shannen

Tori Spelling, who shared the screen with Doherty in Beverly Hills, 90210, penned an emotional Instagram post on Sunday, July 13, 2025, marking the first anniversary of her dear friend’s passing. “Grief is weird,” Spelling wrote. “It presents itself in different ways and at different times but never fades. Just like your memory.” She described how Doherty’s influence continues to inspire her, adding, “I promise—the torch you passed is lit. And it’s not going out. Warrior friend. I love you forever Shan.”

Ian Ziering, another 90210 co-star, also shared his thoughts publicly for the first time since Doherty’s death. Admitting he had initially refrained from posting due to the deeply personal nature of his grief, Ziering wrote, “Grief isn’t a performance. It’s personal. Let people grieve how they grieve.” He remembered Doherty as “fierce, funny,” and “full of life” and lamented the absence of both Doherty and their late co-star Luke Perry, who passed in 2019. “That kind of loss doesn’t fade,” he said. “It just rearranges the furniture in your heart.” (USA Today)

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Holly Marie Combs Honor a Friend

Sarah Michelle Gellar, known for her role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, took to Instagram with a touching video montage of moments she shared with Doherty. The reel featured scenes of the two friends cooking, horseback riding, and visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, set to the poignant song “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa. Gellar captioned the post with a broken-heart emoji, a simple but powerful expression of her loss. Within 24 hours, the tribute had garnered over 224,000 likes, underscoring the widespread admiration for Doherty. (UPI)

Holly Marie Combs, Doherty’s co-star from Charmed, wrote that it felt like “a minute, not a year,” since her friend’s passing. She added, “You still light the way for so many. And you are missed by so many.” Combs joined other members of the Charmed family, including Rose McGowan, who shared her own tribute, saying, “One year today you had to fly, but we on the physical plane of existence think about you every day with love and gratitude.”

A Legacy of Strength and Resilience

Shannen Doherty first revealed her battle with breast cancer in 2015, a diagnosis that she would bravely share with the public. After a period of remission, the cancer returned and metastasized to her bones, marking the start of an even more challenging fight. Despite her illness, Doherty continued to work and advocate for cancer awareness, becoming a symbol of resilience and determination. In a 2023 interview with People, she candidly shared, “I’m not done with living. I’m not done with loving. I’m not done with creating.”

Her co-stars and collaborators consistently highlighted this courage in their tributes. Jason Priestley, who played Doherty’s twin brother on 90210, described her as “a force of nature” and praised her example of “courage and perseverance in facing her own death.” Gabrielle Carteris, another member of the 90210 cast, reflected on Doherty’s ability to inspire others by sharing her journey publicly, saying, “She helped so many.” (Us Weekly)

Fans and Friends Remember Her Impact

While Doherty’s passing deeply affected her inner circle, her influence extended far beyond Hollywood. Fans of her work—from her breakout role in Little House on the Prairie to her unforgettable performances in Charmed—have continued to celebrate her contributions to television and film. However, her absence from the Oscars’ In Memoriam segment earlier this year sparked criticism from many, including Tori Spelling, who called it a “robbery” of her legacy.

For her castmates, Doherty’s impact went beyond her on-screen roles. Jennie Garth, who often found herself compared to Doherty during their 90210 days, reflected on their real-life friendship, saying, “Our connection was real and honest. She was courageous, passionate, determined, and very loving.” Similarly, Matthew Laurance, who worked with Doherty at a convention just months before her passing, remembered her as “ferocious in her work, ferocious in her love, ferocious in her long courageous battle with cancer.”

As the tributes pour in on the anniversary of her passing, it is clear that Shannen Doherty’s memory lives on—not only in her body of work but also in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Her legacy as a fighter, a friend, and a trailblazer remains indelible.