Alyssa Milano’s Emotional Tribute to ‘Charmed’ Co-Star Shannen Doherty
Despite their well-documented feud, Alyssa Milano expressed heartfelt condolences following the death of her “Charmed” co-star Shannen Doherty on July 13.
Remembering Shannen Doherty
Milano acknowledged their complex relationship but emphasized her respect for Doherty. “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,” she shared with Entertainment Weekly. “She was a talented actress, beloved by many, and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her.”
A Decade-Long Battle with Cancer
Shannen Doherty’s death follows a prolonged struggle with breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2015, Doherty achieved remission in 2017, but her cancer returned in 2020. In June 2023, she revealed that her cancer had metastasized to her brain and later to her bones. Her publicist, Leslie Sloane, confirmed her passing, stating, “On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease. 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.”
Continuing Her Legacy
Throughout her battle with cancer, Doherty remained active in her career, including hosting her podcast “Let’s Be Clear.” In December, during an episode of her podcast, the feud between Doherty and Milano resurfaced when their “Charmed” co-star Holly Marie Combs claimed that Milano had Doherty fired from the show after its third season. Milano denied these accusations, asserting, “I did not have the power to get anyone fired. Once Shannen left, we had five more successful seasons, and I am forever grateful.”
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Addressing the Feud
Milano reiterated her position later, expressing sadness over the lingering toxicity surrounding the show. “I’m the most sad that a show that has meant so much to so many people has been tarnished by a toxicity that is still, to this day, almost a quarter of a century later, still happening,” she remarked at MegaCon Orlando. “I’m sad that people can’t move past it. Sad that we all can’t just celebrate the success of a show that meant so much to all of us.”
She continued, “I’ve, I think, been very upfront and taken accountability for and apologized for whatever part I played in the situation and I’ve been very forthcoming about that. I even don’t know if I could put myself out there any more than I already have to try to fix it. It’s heartbreaking. It’s hard. This is the uncomfortable part that I wish was different. So apologies to all of you who love us anyway.”
Shannen Doherty’s Response
Doherty, in her final public statements, also addressed the feud. “At this point in my life, with my health diagnosis — sorry if I start crying — with fighting a horrific disease every day of my life, it is also incredibly important to me that the truth actually be told as opposed to the narrative that others put out there for me,” she shared at MegaCon. “We told it together. We told our truths, and we are standing by our truths.”
She emphasized, “There is no revisionist history happening in the truth that I know we told. There’s no brush flinging or shoe flinging. There is no lateness to set. There is no mediator for months on end. I recall the facts as if I were still living in them. And what I will say is that what somebody else may call ‘drama’ is an actual trauma for me, that I have been living through it for an extremely long time.”
Speaking Out for Healing
Doherty’s battle with cancer encouraged her to speak out about the trauma she experienced. “So that I can actually heal from a livelihood that was taken from me, a livelihood that was taken away from my family, because someone else wanted to be No. 1 on the call sheet,” she explained. “That is the truth.”
In summary, while Alyssa Milano and Shannen Doherty’s relationship was fraught with challenges, Milano’s tribute underscores the respect and admiration she held for her co-star. Doherty’s legacy as a talented actress and a resilient fighter against cancer remains a poignant reminder of her strength and impact.
