‘Charmed’ star Rose McGowan ‘can’t stop crying’ after Shannen Doherty’s death
Rose McGowan is opening up about the death of fellow “Charmed” star, Shannen Doherty.
Doherty died Saturday at the age of 53 after a nearly 10-year battle with cancer.
“I can’t stop crying,” McGowan, 50, wrote in a heartfelt Instagram comment on Sunday. “A world without Shannen Doherty is inconceivable.”
McGowan’s comment was in response to her “Jawbreaker” co-star Julie Benz, who also paid tribute in a comment on McGowan’s original tribute post, writing: “Heartbreaking 💔”
McGowan initially broke her silence on Doherty’s passing with numerous behind-the-scenes photos.
“Shannen Doherty had the heart of a lion. Passion for craft is often mislabeled as trouble. Shannen was passion,” McGowan wrote in the caption.
“I met her in the 90s and was awed. Getting to really know her later in life, a beautiful gift,” she continued. “This woman fought to live. Shannen knew how to be a star because she was one since childhood. Her work ethic inspiring to the end. Shannen’s great love for directing, for acting, Holly, her friends, her parents, dog and her beloved fans was legendary.”
Doherty, Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs starred as the Halliwell sisters, who also happened to be witches, for the first three seasons of “Charmed.” Doherty was fired at the end of Season 3 after an alleged feud with Milano, 51. She was then replaced with McGowan, who played the siblings’ younger half-sister.
Since “Charmed” wrapped in 2006, Doherty and McGowan formed a special connection, for their “lives had been intertwined in a unique way.”
“We laughed at dark forces who wanted us to hate each other, instead we chose love and respect,” McGowan continued. “A soft-hearted badass as there ever was. A force of energy that will live forever in hearts. May angels and God carry her to the holy kingdom where she is healthy, young and wild forever. Rest now warrior, we will never forget you dear sister.”
Doherty and Combs, 50, made the claim just last year that Milano got Doherty fired from “Charmed.”
“We were told [by Alyssa] it’s her or [Shannen] and Alyssa has threatened to sue us for a hostile workplace environment,” Combs recalled on Doherty’s podcast.
Milano denied those claims at MegaCon earlier this year, stating, “I did not have the power to get anyone fired.”
Despite their “complicated relationship,” Milano shared a meaningful message about her former co-star’s passing.
“It’s no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and was in awe of,” Milano said in a statement to The Post on Sunday.
“She was a talented actress, beloved by many and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her,” she added.
Brian Krause, 55, who played Leo Wyatt on the show, also honored Doherty via Instagram, writing: “You showed me what strength is. You taught me to be fearless and live with purpose. To know your value and stick to your determinations. Forever loved! Truly heartbroken 😔.”
Additionally, Ted King, who played Doherty’s love interest on “Charmed,” also wrote the late actress an emotional tribute.
“We created a special television couple for the ages. My heart goes out to your family. Rest in peace Shannen, rest in peace,” King’s post read.
Doherty’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, confirmed the star’s death on Sunday.
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty,” Sloane said in a statement to People.
“On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease,” Sloane continued. “The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.”
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, Doherty underwent treatment that included a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Despite a period of remission in 2017, she revealed in February 2020 that her cancer had progressed to terminal Stage 4.
Doherty told fans she was “fighting to stay alive” during a virtual appearance on “Good Morning America” in 2021. “I never want to operate [like I’m dying],” she said.
In November 2023, Doherty shared that her Stage 4 breast cancer had spread to her bones after having previously spread to her brain. She remained determined to live fully despite her health battle.
“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,” Doherty told People at the time. “I’m just not — I’m not done.”
