Shannen Doherty poses for a portrait in the Getty Images & People Magazine Portrait Studio at Hallmark Channel and American Humanes 2019 Hero Dog Awards at the Beverly Hilton on October 05, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California.© Getty Images

Shannen Doherty's former 90210 co-star shares message for her as she talks funeral amid cancer battle

The Beverly Hills, 90210 actress revealed in November that her cancer was terminal

Ahad Sanwari - New York
Senior WriterNew York
January 17, 2024

Shannen Doherty has been open about her ongoing battle with breast cancer, emotionally revealing that her cancer was terminal back in November and recently even opening up about funeral plans.

Many of her former colleagues and friends have shown their support, one of them being Jason Priestley, her co-star on Beverly Hills, 90210, from 1990-1994.

The actor, 54, opened up to Access Hollywood about his former co-worker and friend, 52, and how "brave" she was to not only tell her own story, but also empower others along the way.

VIDEO: Shannen Doherty opens up about stage four cancer

"It's horrible for her, what she's been going through. And she's been going through it now for eight years," he said. "It's a great testament to how strong of a fighter she is. She's a very strong-willed young lady."

He continued: "When you have a platform to be able to deliver any sort of inspirational message to people, I think it's important and I think it's really awesome that Shannen is opening up about everything."

Jason also confirmed that he and Shannen kept in touch after playing twins Brandon and Brenda Walsh for four years on the hit Fox drama. Shannen left after the fourth season, while Jason remained on the show as a regular cast member till season nine, and then made guest appearances on the tenth and final season.

© Getty Images

Jason Priestly shared his support for his former 90210 co-star

In a recent episode of her podcast Let's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty, she opened up about her funeral plans, specifically talking about who she did not want there, saying: "There's a lot of people that I think would show up that I don't want there."

MORE: Shannen Doherty details 'whopper of a year' after brain cancer and divorce after 'betrayal'

She explained that she didn't want the space to be for people who didn't genuinely care about her, adding "I don't want people to be crying or people to privately be like, 'Thank God that [expletive] is dead now."

© Getty Images

He confirmed that he and Shannen had remained in touch since the conclusion of the show

The Charmed star first revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2015, and after undergoing a round of chemotherapy, announced in 2017 that her cancer was in remission.

MORE: Shannen Doherty's terrifying cancer battle in the midst of heartbreaking divorce – what to know

However, in 2020, she shared that her cancer had returned a year prior and had progressed to stage four, adding in late 2023 that the disease had spread to her brain and bones and was terminal.

© Instagram

The actress has been open about her health struggles and battle with cancer

"I don't want to die," she told People in November. "I'm not done with living. I'm not done with loving. I'm not done with creating. I'm not done with hopefully changing things for the better. I'm just not – I'm not done."

MORE 90210: Tori Spelling talks regrets with 90210 co-star Jennie Garth as she looks back at 'toxic' time

She affirmed, however, that despite her diagnosis, she was going to continue working and creating more content that she was proud of, adding that she was ready to "embrace life." "People just assume that it means you can't walk, you can't eat, you can't work. 

© Getty Images

"We're vibrant, and we have such a different outlook on life. We are people who want to work and embrace life and keep moving forward."

"They put you out to pasture at a very early age – 'You're done, you're retired,' and we're not. We're vibrant, and we have such a different outlook on life. We are people who want to work and embrace life and keep moving forward."

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