Shannen Doherty Gets Emotional During ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ Panel As Audience Stands Up To Applaud Her

Sep 19, 2023 by apost team

Actress Shannen Doherty is best known for her roles in popular TV shows such as "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed." She has been acting since she was a child and started her career working with acclaimed actor Michael Landon.

Her first role was on the show "Father Murphy" before Landon cast her in another show of his, "Little House: A New Beginning," which was a spin-off of "Little House on the Prairie." Doherty posted a throwback photo of herself to Instagram in June 2021 and revealed a bit about those roles. She wrote in the caption:

"Father Murphy. My first job with the amazing Michael Landon producing. ... Michael soon after cast me in Little House New Beginnings where I had the privilege of him directing me many times. #buckteeth"

But whichever period of her career you might know, Doherty has most recently been in the press due to her ongoing battle with cancer. After she was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, Doherty went into remission for two years, but sadly, the cancer returned. She revealed on "Good Morning America" in February 2020 that she had not "processed it" and that it was "a bitter pill to swallow."

In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight in December 2021, the actress spoke about her dreams for 2022, which included "progression" in finding a cure for the disease. She also said she was "doing well" and hoped to continue acting in the coming year.

However, in June 2023, the actress sadly revealed that cancer had spread to her brain. But if the reaction she elicited during a 90s Con panel is anything to go by, she certainly has support from her fans during this trying time.

The return of Doherty's cancer was discovered after she went to get back pain checked in 2020, according to ELLE. The cancer was found to have spread to her spine. But despite being at stage four, Doherty never gave up hope. In fact, she proved in the years since her readiness to fight, and she hasn't been afraid to share her story with the public. 

In an interview with ET in December 2021, Doherty spoke further about her ongoing battle and what she wished for the year ahead. She said:

"If I were dreaming of what would happen in 2022, I think lot more research and progression as far as finding the cure for cancer is my ultimate, ultimate dream because even though I am thriving and I'm doing well, I still have cancer and you don't want stage four."

She continued, as she explained how that motivated her to help raise awareness in a bid to find a cure:

"But I have it and so I think in the back of my mind, this constant sort of OK, 'What can I do to help bring more awareness, what can I do the help raise money, what can I do to sort of push research for not just myself but for everybody else who is suffering from cancer?"'

While progress in finding a cure for cancer is Doherty's ultimate dream, the actress also spoke about more realistic goals she had for herself, which included continuing to act, something she hasn't slowed down doing despite her diagnosis.

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Doherty appeared to be doing well until the actress updated her fans with tragic news in June 2023. In a series of Instagram posts, the actress revealed that in January 2023, a CT scan confirmed the cancer had spread to her brain. In one video, she was seen being fitted for a mask “which you wear during radiation to your brain.” A second video showed a close-up of her face as she underwent another procedure, with tears streaming down from her eyes. The caption read:

"January 12, the first round of radiation took place. My fear is obvious. I am extremely claustrophobic and there was a lot going on in my life. I am fortunate as I have great doctors like Dr Amin Mirahdi and the amazing techs at cedar sinai. But that fear…. The turmoil….. the timing of it all…. This is what cancer can look like."

Doherty posted another video a few days later that showed her in a hospital bed as she spoke to medical staff about an impending surgical procedure for a “tumor in my head they wanted to remove and also biopsy.” As the staff asked Doherty questions, the star responded in a calm manner. However, she confessed in the caption that she was feeling anything but.

“I am clearly trying to be brave but I am petrified. The fear was overwhelming to me. Scared of all possible bad outcomes, worried about leaving my mom and how that would impact her. Worried that I would come out of surgery not me anymore,” she wrote, and again added, “This is what cancer can look like.”

Doherty hasn't held back in being transparent with her fans about her cancer journey, which has been confronting and heartbreaking to witness. Celebrity friends of the actress rallied behind her in support, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Selma Blair, Harry Connick Jr. and Marcia Cross.

Among the friends Doherty has counted on throughout her cancer battle has been none other than her former “Beverly Hills, 90210” co-star Brian Austin Green. In September 2023, Green gave updates about Doherty’s current battle and described her as “resilient.” He told E News the “resilient” Doherty was “doing great” and that “if anybody that I know is going to have to deal with what she's dealing with, she's the one that can get through it.”

According to Popculture, Green also told the Herald Sun that Doherty was an “incredibly tough person.”

“If there's anyone who could put up a real fight to cancer – she's one of them. It's not an easy situation, obviously, but I love her to death," he added.

Green also joined Doherty during a “Beverly Hills, 90210” panel during 90s Con held in Tampa, Florida, on Sept. 17, 2023, alongside other original cast members, including Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling. 

Doherty touched on her cancer battle during the event and said she had “a fight for my life, that I deal with every day,” before quipping, “I think I am really great.”

However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom as Doherty also light-heartedly mentioned another thing she appeared to be great at.

“My other profession is getting engaged, married and divorced, and I'm doing that very well,” she remarked in reference to her divorce from her third husband, photographer Kurt Iswarienko.

As the panel neared its end, Doherty received a standing ovation and loud cheers from the crowd and the panel, leaving the star emotional.

“Thank you so much,” Doherty told the crowd through tears. “You guys know how much I love crying constantly. And I do, it seems. So, thank you.”

Are you a fan of Shannen Doherty? What can you say about her most recent health update? Let us know, then be sure to pass this on to others so they can stay up to date as well.