The Curse of 'Beverly Hills, 90210': From tragic deaths of Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty to Tori Spelling's financial woes

From teen idols to real-life drama: The tragic lives of the cast of 'Beverly Hills, 90210'

Remember 'Beverly Hills, 90210'? The teen drama that had us glued to our screens in the '90s wasn't just about navigating high school relationships and flashy designer clothes. The show bravely tackled tough issues like drug abuse, the AIDS crisis, and teenage pregnancy. But it seems life can be even more dramatic than fiction. While fans of the show are aware of the onscreen struggles of characters played by Luke Perry, Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth, and Tori Spelling, they may be unaware that the actors had to deal with their own set of challenges, ranging from heartbreaks and illnesses to devastating losses. In the wake of Doherty's sudden death, let's take a look at the tragic realities faced by the cast of this iconic show.

1. Jennie Garth hated playing Kelly Taylor 

Jennie Garth, who played Kelly Taylor on 'Beverly Hills, 90210', initially disliked her character's one-dimensional portrayal. Kelly's shallow personality, evident from the beginning (shunning classmates, bragging about surgery), failed to resonate with the young actress. Over time, as the show evolved to tackle serious topics, Garth's perspective shifted. She reportedly told Us Weekly that while working on the show she didn't watch the episodes as they were being aired. "I was just doing my part. I didn't see or know what they were filming other than what Kelly was doing," remarked Garth. 

2. Luke Perry got into a fight with Tori Spelling's boyfriend

Luke Perry, known for his role as Dylan McKay, was protective of his co-stars. He famously intervened in Tori Spelling's personal life, engaging in a physical altercation with her then-boyfriend due to concerns about her well-being. Tori was in a relationship with a man named Nick Savalas in the 1990s and the relationship was allegedly abusive, with Nick calling Tori names and being verbally aggressive. Perry noticed this and became concerned for her well-being. When Perry saw Nick at a Christmas party, he confronted him and reportedly tried to punch him, likely to defend Tori and show his disapproval of the boyfriend's problematic behavior.

3. Tori Spelling only received $800,000 after her father's death

Tori Spelling's grief over her father's death was compounded by the surprising terms of his will. Despite Aaron Spelling's immense wealth ($600 million), Tori and her brother each only received $800,000. The bulk of the estate went to their mother, Candy Spelling, who reportedly clashed with Tori over her spending habits, causing a rift between them that lasted for years.

4. Shannen Doherty's controversial departure

Shannen Doherty's tenure on the show was marked by conflicts and controversies. While the details are not entirely clear, there have been reports of friction between Doherty and some of her co-stars, particularly Jennie Garth and Luke Perry. This could have contributed to an overall negative atmosphere for her. Ultimately, the show's producers decided to let Doherty go after the fourth season. Given the reported on-set tension and Doherty's struggles with punctuality, they may have felt it was in the best interest of the show to move forward without her.

5. Jennie Garth's mental health struggles

Jennie Garth battled anxiety and struggled with the pressures of sudden fame that came with working on 'Beverly Hills, 90210'. Garth and Tori Spelling revealed the show's dark side on their podcast. Garth admitted the constant focus on appearance in the competitive environment created lasting issues with self-image for her and other young actresses. "The show brought out a super competitive part of me being in that environment of being judged because of my looks or how I looked in an outfit. It was just a different day and age and it gave us young girls a lot of mixed messages. I, for many years, struggled with it," shared Garth.

6. Jason Priestly's car accident 

Jason Priestley, who played David Silver, a central figure in the show's success, struggled with personal demons, including substance abuse and the pressures brought forth by sudden fame. His journey through these challenges underscored the darker side of Hollywood's glamorous image. Priestley's racing hobby took a dangerous turn in 2002 as his car crashed head-on into a wall at nearly 180 mph. Jason was airlifted to the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Centre after the high-speed crash left him with a broken back and head injury. While he was recuperating, co-star Shannen Doherty hinted the accident might have impacted his memory.

7. Brian Austin Green's career never really took off

Unlike some of his 'Beverly Hills, 90210' castmates, Brian Austin Green who played David Silver, saw his acting career focused on smaller film roles and television appearances. On the other hand, his personal life, including his divorce from Megan Fox and public disagreements, have garnered headlines. Green and Fox started dating in 2004 and got married in 2010. After a brief separation in 2015, the couple ultimately decided to go their separate ways. Green was later diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease in the large intestine, and vertigo. "I’d spent four and a half years recovering from stroke-like symptoms without ever having had a stroke, but I couldn’t speak," shared the actor on Cheryl Burke's 'Sex, Likes and Spray Tans' podcast. 

8 Luke Perry's death 

After 'Beverly Hills, 90210', Luke Perry, who had played Dylan McKay on the series, found success in guest roles on shows like 'Will & Grace' and films like 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. He even charmed a new generation as Fred Andrews in 'Riverdale' from 2017 until his untimely death in 2019 at 52. He left behind a legacy of work, including his final film role in Quentin Tarantino's 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood', as a stroke tragically cut his life short. 

9. Ian Ziering got into a street brawl with bikers on New Year's Eve

On New Year’s Eve 2023, Ian Ziering, who played Steve Sanders on the show, was involved in a street brawl with a group of bikers. Ziering and his daughter were driving through Los Angeles when, according to the actor, he was suddenly surrounded by a group of bikers while stuck in traffic. When he exited the car "in an attempt to assess any damage," the situation unfortunately escalated into a physical altercation. 

10. Shannen Doherty's death from cancer

Shannen Doherty died on July 13, 2024, from complications of breast cancer. She had been battling the disease since 2015. Doherty landed the role of Brenda Walsh at 19, propelling her to instant fame as a teen idol. On Luke Perry's death, she said, "It’s so weird for me to be diagnosed and then somebody who was, you know, seemingly healthy to go first. It was really, like, shocking. Our life doesn’t end the minute we get that diagnosis. We still have some living to do." When asked if she had made a bucket list after knowing that she had cancer, Shannen said "no," adding, "Because I’m going to be the longest-living person with cancer."