Despite their long-standing feud, Milano paid tribute to her Charmed co-star Shannen Doherty, who died on July 13.
It’s no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and admired,” Milano told Entertainment Weekly in a statement. “She was a talented actress, beloved by many, and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her.”
Doherty’s passing follows a nearly decade-long battle with breast cancer. Though she went into remission in 2017 after her 2015 diagnosis, Shanen Dorethy’s cancer returned in 2020. In June 2023, the Beverly Hills, 90210 star revealed that the cancer had metastasized to her brain and later spread to her bones.
“On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease,” her publicist Leslie Sloane said in a statement to NBC News. “The devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was surrounded by her loved ones, including her dog, Bowie. The family requests privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.”
Shannen Doherty’s health journey, Doherty continued to work, including hosting her podcast Let’s Be Clear. In December, her feud with Milano reignited after Charmed co-star Holly Marie Combs claimed Milano had Doherty fired from the series after season three.
However, Milano denied the accusations. “I did not have the power to get anyone fired,” she wrote on Instagram in February. “Once Shannen left, we had 5 more successful seasons, and I am forever grateful.”
Later that month, she reiterated her stance.
“I’m the most sad that a show that has meant so much to so many people has been tarnished by a toxicity that is still, to this day, almost a quarter of a century later, still happening,” she said at MegaCon Orlando. “I’m sad that people can’t move past it. Sad that we all can’t just celebrate the success of a show that meant so much to all of us.”
“I’ve, I think, been very upfront and taken accountability for and apologized for whatever part I played in the situation, and I’ve been very forthcoming about that,” she continued. “I even don’t know if I could put myself out there any more than I already have to try to fix it. It’s heartbreaking. It’s hard. This is the uncomfortable part that I wish was different. So, apologies to all of you who love us anyway.”
For her part, Doherty was not so charmed by Milano’s statements.
“At this point in my life, with my health diagnosis—sorry if I start crying—with fighting a 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,” she shared at MegaCon. “We told it together. We told our truths, and we are standing by our truths.”
“There is no revisionist history happening in the truth that I know we told,” Doherty continued. “There’s no brush flinging or shoe flinging. There is no lateness to set. There is no mediator for months on end. I recall the facts as if I were still living in them. And what I will say is that what somebody else may call ‘drama’ is an actual trauma for me, that I have been living through it for an extremely long time.”
Her cancer battle, she admitted, encouraged her to speak out about the “trauma” she faced. “So that I can actually heal from a livelihood that was taken from me, a livelihood that was taken away from my family because someone else wanted to be No. 1 on the call sheet,” she said. “That is the truth.”
Keep reading for more tributes…
Jennie Garth
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“I am still processing my tremendous grief over the loss of my longtime friend Shannen, the woman I have often described as one of the strongest people I have ever known,” the actress, who played Kelly Taylor, frenemy of Shannen’s Brenda Walsh, on 90210, wrote on Instagram. “Our connection was real and honest. 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.”
Shannen, she said, “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,” Jennie continued. “My heart breaks for her family and Bowie [Shannen’s dog] and all the people who loved her.
Tori Spelling
“I don’t have words yet,” Tori wrote on her Instagram Stories, alongside a selfie of herself and Shannen and several broken heart emojis, “but WE knew and that’s what matters.”
Jason Priestley
“Shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of my friend Shannen,” the actor, who played Brandon Walsh, the twin brother of the actress’ character Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210, expressed on Instagram. “She was a force of nature, and I will miss her. Sending love and light to her family in this dark time.”
Brian Austin Green
“Shan. My sister,” the Beverly Hills, 90210 alum wrote on his Instagram Stories. “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.”
Gabrielle Carteris
“So young – so sad,” the Beverly Hills, 90210 and former SAG-AFTRA president wrote on Instagram. “May you RIP Shannon. I know Luke is there with open arms to love you.”
Carol Potter
The actress-turned-therapist, who played Cindy Walsh, the mother of Shannen and Jason Priestley’s twin characters Brenda and Brandon, wrote on Instagram she was “shocked and saddened” by news of her onscreen daughter’s death.
“What a journey she has been on!” she wrote. “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.”
Alyssa Milano
“It’s no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and admired,” she said of her Charmed co-star in a statement to Entertainment Weekly. “She was a talented actress, beloved by many, and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her.”
Rose McGowan
“A true lion heart,” the actress, who replaced Shannen on Charmed in 2001 after she left the series, wrote in a comment on the late star’s final Instagram post. “What a warrior. Your daddy is holding his best girl now.”
She continued, “Love to your mama, your dog and all who love you fiercely. Love to Holly [Marie Combs]. Love to all of your legions of fans that I know you loved right back. If there was anyone who looked squarely at death and said no thanks, it was you dear Shannen. My head bows to you brave one. All love forever.”
Brian Krause
“You showed me what strength is,” the actor, who played Leo Wyatt on Charmed, shared on Instagram. “You taught me to be fearless and live with purpose. To know your value and stick to your determination.”
“Forever loved!” he added. “Truly heartbroken.”
Olivia Munn
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“I am absolutely heartbroken over the passing of Shannen Doherty.” the Newsroom alum wrote on her Instagram Stories July 14. “When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I remembered how she bravely let the world into her journey and reached out to her. 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.”
“We bonded through a shared battle and a desire to help other women,” she continued. “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 stage of fighting this horrific disease.”
Olivia concluded her statement with a heartfelt message to her late friend. “Cancer is really f–king scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength and grace,” she expressed. “I’m sending all of my love to her mother who was her best friend, hero and champion every step of the way. Fly so high, my friend.”
Dave Coulier
RIP Shannen Doherty. I met her during the Full House days. She was lovely and had a beautiful smile. 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.… pic.twitter.com/LEWLPCKnbK
— Dave Coulier (@DaveCoulier) July 14, 2024
“RIP Shannen Doherty,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I met her during the Full House days. She was lovely and had a beautiful smile. 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.”
Katie Couric
Alongside an article reporting Shannen’s passing, the journalist wrote on Instagram, “I’m so sad to hear this news…”
