Shannen Doherty says work saved her from depression

Shannen Doherty put everything into her work.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 Star died on Saturday, July 13, at the age of 53 after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.

Speaking to PEOPLE in November 2023, Doherty shared how working on and filming several episodes of her memoir podcast Let’s talk straight with Shannen Doherty – sometimes in one day – saved her from depression during her terminal cancer illness.

“Look, you see me on a good day. Right? But I think the difference I’ve really noticed is that when I’m working and when I’m being creative, there’s no room for depression at all. That’s what gives me strength,” she said.

The following month, Doherty launched the podcast for the first time, talking about everything from the highlights of her career to her diagnosis and journey to health.

“The work makes me so happy. Even my podcast producers were like, ‘Seriously? You’re doing three episodes in one day? That’s a lot.’ And I was like, ‘I could do five in one day,'” Doherty continued.

“I just keep going… Once they start working, I throw myself into it, and I have such discipline and such a work ethic, but it’s also invigorating. I love it. So that definitely helps me,” she said.

“I had periods of depression. Things weren’t exactly easy and smooth. Sometimes they were really challenging, and it’s tough to be over 50 and suddenly single and have terminal cancer. It’s tough,” Doherty said, adding that while it was “super depressing for a while,” eventually “you get through it.”

The Charmed The actress shot her last PEOPLE cover shoot four days before Thanksgiving last year, saying at the time, “I’m not done living. I’m not done loving. I’m not done creating. I’m not done hopefully changing things for the better. I’m just not – I’m not done.”

Doherty had a mastectomy eight years ago and underwent chemotherapy and radiation after she was first diagnosed with breast cancer.

In April 2017, she announced on Instagram that she was in remission. But in 2019, her cancer returned – and the following year she announced her diagnosis of “stage four metastatic cancer.”

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Doherty’s longtime publicist Leslie Sloane confirmed the actress’ death in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE on Sunday, July 14.

“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after a years-long battle with the disease,” the statement said.

“The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones and her dog, Bowie. The family requests privacy so she can grieve in peace,” Sloane continued.