Shannen Doherty

Shannen Maria Doherty was born April 12, 1971 in Memphis, Tennessee, the daughter of Rosa Elizabeth (neé Wright), a beauty parlour owner, and John Thomas Doherty Jr, a mortgage consultant. She has an older brother, politician Sean Bryant Doherty.

In 1978, the Doherty family moved to Los Angeles where Tom started a West Coast branch of the family transportation business, but within a few years the business collapsed. “Shannen has seen both sides of the coin,” said her dad, “We lived in a prestigious area [Palos Verdes, in Los Angeles], with an ocean view. Then we had the rug pulled out from under us. There was a time when the doorbell would ring and it might be the utility man there to cut off the power.” The experience seared Shannen. “People think, ‘She’s sitting up there in a nice house and has money,’ ” has Shannen said of herself, “My parents went from having money to having nothing, to eating rice every single day.” Age: 6

It wasn’t until she moved to the California city of Los Angeles with her family in 1978, that she first began to develop an interest for acting and drama. Age: 6

As Tom Doherty’s company was sinking, his daughter was getting into another business—acting. Initially, Shannen tagged along when her older brother Sean tried out for a church production. She went on to play Sneezy the dwarf in Snow White, also at church. Age: 7

She made her debut at the tender age of 10 with a role on the series Father Murphy (NBC, 1981-1983). She played Druscilla Shannon in 1x05 "By the Bear That Bit Me: Part 1" aired on December 1, 1981, and 1x06 "By the Bear That Bit Me: Part 2" aired on December 8, 1981. Age: 10

When a casting notice was released in Hollywood for a regular role on the popular dramatic western television series "Little House on the Prairie", she jumped at the opportunity and at the age of 11 eventually won the recurring role of Jenny Wilder, thanks in part to actor/producer Michael Landon’s seeing her on Father Murphy, which he also produced. Doherty stayed in the series until the show’s cancellation in 1983. She recalls: ”That show changed my life. Michael Landon was the one who said to me, ‘Always slick up for yourself. Never let anybody walk all over you. Be a strong woman.’ “ Age: 11 - 11

She was there for her father when he suffered a stroke. Age: 11

She was nominated as Best Young Actress in a Drama Series for "Little House of the Prairie", and Best Young Actress, Guest on a Series for her role in "Father Murphy" at the 1983 Young Artist Awards. Age: 12

Shannen was Nominee Young Artist Award Best Young Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Jenny Wilder in "Little House of the Prairie". Age: 13

She was nominated as Best Young Actress: Guest in a Series at the 7th Youth in Film Awards (now known as the Young Artist Awards) in 1984 for her role of Phoebe Danner in the TV series "Air Wolf" (ABC, 1984-86) 1x03 "Bite of the Jackal", aired on February 4, 1984. Age: 14

Shannen is nominated for the Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress in a New Television Comedy or Drama Series in the 8th Youth in Film Awards for her role as Kris Whiterspoon in "Our House". Age: 15

Shannen is nominated for her role as Kris Whiterpoon in "Our House" as Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Drama Series in the 9th Youth in Film Awards. Age: 16

Doherty’s first major motion picture role was in the teen cult film "Heathers", released in Italy on October 24, 1988 at the MIFED, which made her first big mark on pop culture, co-starring opposite Winona Ryder. The masterful satire – which some consider the best comedy of the decade, certainly the best dark comedy – put Doherty on the map as one of the legendary “Heathers” of Westerberg High School. Age: 17

She was there for her father when he suffered a stroke. Age: 18

Shannen garnered worldwide attention and fame for her breakout role as Brenda Walsh in the Aaron Spelling-produced TV series "Beverly Hills, 90210" in 1990 when she was 19. As Brenda Walsh, twin sister to Brandon (played by Jason Priestley) and the resident Midwestern girl putting down roots in Beverly Hills, Doherty made her mark on pop cultural history. Audiences fell in love with the naïve Midwestern girl who fell for the local Beverly Hills bad boy, Dylan McKay (played by Luke Perry), while all the while, learning to navigate the bitchy waters of West Beverly Hills High. Age: 19

Shannen was nominated twice at the 12th Youth in Film Awards. As a Best Young Actress Starring in a New Television Series and as a Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Television Series both for "Beverly Hills, 90210" TV series. Age: 19

Shannen Doherty and real-estate developer from Chicago Chris Foufas (b. 1968) dated from at least fall 1991 to until end of November 1992, being engaged since at least November 1991. Shannen and Chris became engaged to be married over a romantic dinner and he bought to her an six-and-a-half-carat diamond ring. Her plan was to wear the engagement ring with an equally stunning diamond wedding band after they marry. At first, they planned to marry on March 15 1992, as she explains in the August 1992 issue of YM magazine, “You know, it goes from this small intimate wedding to his parents’ giving me a list to my parents’ giving me a list. Two hunderd of each parents’ closest friends are all of a sudden invited to your wedding.” She said in the same interview that she designed her own wedding dress and that they were looking for a location for such a big wedding: “We wanted it to be very ‘30s mixed with Italian charm. All Italian’s food is going to be served at our wedding.” On November 1992 Shannen broke off her engagement to Chris Foufas, but the pair remained friendly. She told to Bop magazine: “I’m 21 and is not exactly the right time to get married.” Age: 20 - 21

At the 13th Youth in Film Award Shannen wins the Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Television Series with her co-stars of "Beverly Hills, 90210",and also is nominated at the Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series for her role as Brenda Walsh in the same TV series. Age: 20

Winner as Best Female TV Star in the German Bravo Otto Awards. Age: 20

At the 18th People's Choice Awards, "Beverly Hills, 90210" wins the Favorite TV Series Among Young People award. Age: 20

Since November 1992 Shannen was dating heir to the Max Factor cosmetics Dean Jay Factor (b. August 1, 1965). On March 19, 1993 Shannen moved into Factor’s $5,200-a-month rented Tudor-style house in the Hollywood Hills. Factor and Doherty began a vacation together in Hawaii on April 12, 1993. They were accompanied by her costar Tori Spelling and her boyfriend Nick Savalas. There, he proposed marriage—and Doherty accepted. He filed for a restraining order on May 25, 1993. He alleged physical violence and threats on the part of Doherty, although Doherty's father claimed that the abuse came from Factor and not her. Age: 21 - 22

At the end of 1992 Shannen was cited for alleged misdemeanour battery after getting into a shoving match with aspiring actress Bonita Money (who later was convinced of fraud) at Hollywood’s trendy Roxbury nightclub. The fracas reportedly started when co-star Brian Austin Green stepped on the toes of Money’s boyfriend and Shannen wanted to defend her co-star friend. Age: 21

Winner as Best Female TV Star in the German Bravo Otto Awards. Age: 21

At the 14th Youth in Film Awards Shannen and her co-stars of "Beverly Hills, 90210" win the Favorite Young Ensemble Cast in a Television Series award. Age: 21

On October 11, 1993, Doherty married Ashley Hamilton, the son of actor George Hamilton. They filed for divorce in April 1994. Age: 22 - 22

Nominated as Best Female TV Star in the German Bravo Otto Awards. Age: 22

After 111 episodes and many awards and nominations, the final episode of Shannen Doherty as Brenda Walsh in "Beverly Hills, 9210", is aired. Despite the fact that Brenda never appeared on the screen, she was nonetheless present during occasional story lines during the following six seasons of the series. Age: 23

Shannen Doherty and film director Rob Weiss started dating in 1994, their first public photos date from June, and they got engaged in December 1995, but on 2000 they separated, although they remain friends. Age: 23 - 28

After a 1996 incident outside a West Hollywood bar, Doherty agreed to anger-management counselling and two years’ probation, the Times said. Age: 24

Singer in TV film "Friends Till the End", in which she also co-starred as one of the main characters. Age: 25

Shannen stars as good witch Prudence "Prue" Halliwell in Aaron Spelling's supernatural TV show "Charmed". She'll act there for 3 season, 67 episodes, until her character being killed in 3x22 "All Hell Breaks Loose", aired on May 17, 2001. Age: 27 - 30

Shannen was nominated as Best Genre TV Actress at The 25th Saturn Awards, honoring the best in science fiction, fantasy and horror film and television in 1998, for her role as Prue Halliwell in "Charmed". Age: 28

Director debut in "Charmed" TV series 2x22 "Be Careful What You Witch For", Episode aired May 18, 2000. Age: 29

At the 26th Saturn Awards she was nominated at Best Genre TV Actress for her role as Prue Halliwell in "Charmed". Age: 29

In 2001 Shannen was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). Age: 29

Co-excecutive producer in the TV Sci-fi drama "Another Day", in which she also was the protagonist. Age: 30

In 2002, Doherty married Rick Salomon, but the marriage was annulled after nine months. Age: 30 - 32

Creator/Writer of the reality show "Breaking Up with Shannen Doherty". Age: 35

Shannen Doherty and photographer Kurt Iswarienko (b. June 22, 1974) met in 2008 when he was assigned to photograph her for a magazine. The pair began dating on November 2008, and got engaged on July 2011. On October 15, 2011, Doherty married photographer Kurt Iswarienko in Malibu, California. On April 2023 was reported that Shannen Doherty has filed for divorce from her husband of 11 years, Kurt Iswarienko. She is thought to have separated from Kurt Iswarienko in January 2023 and apparently wanted to stay married but felt that she had no choice but to walk away from the relationship. 'Divorce is the last thing Shannen wanted,' her representative Lesley Sloane told PEOPLE before adding: 'Unfortunately, she felt she was left with no other option.' Age: 37 - 51

In 2009 she was in charge of choosing cover designs and photospreads for the glossy Pasadena Magazine. Age: 37

In 2010 she published her first book, “Badass: A Hard-Earned Guide to Living Life with Style and (the Right) Attitude”. Age: 38

Her father John Thomas Doherty Jr. dies after having had several strokes in his life. Age: 39

In March 2015, Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer, which had spread to her lymph nodes. Age: 43

In February 2016, Doherty revealed that she was receiving anti-estrogen treatment to shrink the tumor and enable treatment by lumpectomy rather than mastectomy. Age: 44

Due to the presence of multiple tumors a lumpectomy was not possible, and a unilateral mastectomy was performed in May 2016. Surgery revealed that some of the cancer cells may have spread beyond the lymph nodes. Because the cancer was more advanced than previously thought, Doherty underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy following surgery. Age: 45

On April 29, 2017, Doherty announced that her cancer was in remission. Age: 46

In November 2018, Doherty lost her house to the Woolsey Fire. Shannen had filed a lawsuit against State Farm Insurance after they reportedly refused to pay Shannen to rebuild her Malibu-based home after it was damaged by the wildfires. In October 2021, it was revealed that she had won the lawsuit. Age: 47 - 50

On February 4, 2020, Doherty announced her cancer had returned a year prior, and that she is now stage four. Age: 48

On April 2023 was reported that Shannen Doherty has filed for divorce from her husband of 11 years, Kurt Iswarienko. She is thought to have separated from Kurt Iswarienko in January 2023 and apparently wanted to stay married but felt that she had no choice but to walk away from the relationship. 'Divorce is the last thing Shannen wanted,' her representative Lesley Sloane told PEOPLE before adding: 'Unfortunately, she felt she was left with no other option.' Age: 51

In June 2023, she announced that the cancer had spread to her brain and is terminal. Age: 52