Jason Priestley, who famously played Brandon Walsh on the hit ‘90s teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210, recently opened up about the emotional impact of losing his co-star and on-screen twin, Shannen Doherty, who passed away in July 2024 after a long battle with cancer. Priestley, 55, revealed that Doherty’s death came as a shock to him, despite her years-long struggle with the disease. He shared that when he last saw her just a few weeks before her passing, there was no visible indication of her illness, making her death feel both unexpected and deeply painful.
Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2015, and over the years, the disease spread to her lymph nodes. She went into remission briefly in late 2016, but her cancer returned in February 2020, this time as stage 4. Throughout her battle, Doherty remained remarkably resilient, and Priestley explained that she had a way of putting on a “super brave face” to mask the severity of her condition. He recalled that even when they spent time together shortly before her death, she seemed healthy and vibrant, leaving no hint of her struggle. This, he said, made her passing even more difficult to process, as the reality of her illness felt distant, even to those closest to her.
For Priestley, the loss of Doherty was a complex mix of emotions. He admitted that while her illness had been a part of her life for so long, the actual moment of her death still felt sudden and incomprehensible. He described the experience as “very painful,” noting that although the cast of Beverly Hills, 90210 was aware of her worsening condition, they also held onto hope that she would overcome it once more. Priestley, who had a deep bond with Doherty both on and off screen, expressed his admiration for her strength and resilience, calling her a “force of nature” in a heartfelt Instagram tribute. He also sent love and support to her family, acknowledging the darkness they must have felt during such a difficult time.
The loss of Shannen Doherty was met with an outpouring of grief from her Beverly Hills, 90210 co-stars, many of whom had remained close to her over the years. Jason Priestley, Brian Austin Green, Gabrielle Carteris, and Tori Spelling were among those who shared tributes and memories of their time with her. Priestley’s reflections emphasize the profound impact Doherty had on those who knew her, both as a friend and as a talented actress. Her presence in their lives left an indelible mark, and her absence has been deeply felt.
Shannen Doherty’s death also brought to light the way she approached her final years with determination and grace. In a recent podcast interview, Holly Marie Combs, who starred alongside Doherty on Charmed, shared that she, too, felt a sense of shock and loss. Combs explained that Doherty had been making plans for the future, suggesting that she didn’t believe her time was running out. “We did think we had more time,” Combs said, lamenting the plans they had hoped to fulfill together. This sentiment resonates deeply with Priestley’s account, as both friends highlight Doherty’s refusal to let her illness define her, even in her final days.
In the end, Shannen Doherty’s legacy is one of strength, courage, and an unyielding spirit. Her determination to live life on her own terms, even in the face of immense adversity, has left an enduring impression on her friends, family, and fans. For Jason Priestley and the rest of the Beverly Hills, 90210 cast, her passing serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing time with loved ones. Doherty’s story teaches us to face challenges with resilience and to embrace every moment, no matter how uncertain the future may seem.
