Olivia Munn remembered Shannen Doherty and revealed they sparked up a friendship, amid her own breast cancer diagnosis.
On Sunday, ET confirmed that the Beverly Hills 90210 alum died at the age of 53, following a years-long battle with the disease. Munn, who revealed her diagnosis earlier this year — took to her Instagram Story to reflect on her brief relationship with the late actress.
“I am absolutely heartbroken over the passing of Shannen Doherty. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I remembered how she bravely let the world into her journey and reached out to her. We became instant friends – which I honestly couldn’t comprehend at time because watching her on ‘90210’ was everything to me when I was 10,” the 44-year-old actress wrote.
“We bonded through a shared battle and desire to help other women. Looking back on the last text she sent me just a couple months ago, she asked how I was doing and if she could do anything for me…True to form. Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stage of fighting this horrific disease. Cancer is really f*****g scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength and grace. I’m sending all of my love to her mother who was her best friend, hero and champion every step of the way. Fly so high, my friend.”
In March, Munn revealed that she was diagnosed with luminal B breast cancer. In the months since, the actress has been candid about her double mastectomy, reconstruction surgery, and the effects the disease has had on her body.
Doherty revealed her initial cancer diagnosis in 2015. Following numerous rounds of chemotherapy, the Heathers star revealed that her cancer was in remission in 2017. In 2020, during an interview with Good Morning America, Doherty shared that her cancer returned and was stage 4, and in June 2023, the actress made the heartbreaking revelation that her cancer had spread to her brain.
Amid her diagnosis, Doherty spoke candidly and publicly about her diagnosis on her Let’s Be Clear podcast. The veteran actress was also an advocate for others dealing with the disease, and even spoke about about the speculation surrounding Kate Middleton — ahead of her sharing her cancer diagnosis in March.
The Charmed star lost her battle with the disease on July 13.
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress, Shannen Doherty,” the actress’s longtime publicist Leslie Sloane told ET in a statement. “On Saturday, July 13th she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease.”
The statement 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.”
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