Jason Priestley reflects on the deaths of Shannen Doherty and Luke Perry

Jason Priestley reflects on the death of his former Beverly Hills, 90210 co-stars.

In an interview with the Mirror In the video released on August 17, the 54-year-old actor spoke about the impact the deaths of Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty had on his lifestyle.

Perry died in March 2019 at the age of 52 from complications of a stroke. Doherty died in July 2024 at the age of 53 from complications of a breast cancer diagnosis.

“It made me think about my own mortality. I woke up on my 50th birthday and realized that I had already lived most of my life,” said the Wild Cards Actor, a former racing driver who had a serious accident in 2002. Priestley turned 50 in August 2019, months after Perry's death.

“Luke's death was a total shock because he was fine. We were neighbours and friends and spent a lot of time together. We shared so much,” he said.

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Although Doherty – who played Priestley’s twin sister in the hit 90s series – spoke openly about her experiences with cancer with her family and on her podcast, Let's talk straight with Shannen DohertyPriestley told the Mirror that her death was a shock for him too.

“I always admired her tenacity and resilience. Even though I knew she was ill, her death was a huge surprise and sad for all of us,” he said of Doherty. “She fought it for so long and it seemed like she was getting through it… until, unfortunately, she couldn't anymore.”

Priestley added: “Shannen was a force. And I'm very lucky to have been able to spend quite a bit of time with her over the last few years. I had no problem with her death because there was nothing left unsaid between us.”

He told the Mirror that he and his former Beverly Hills, 90210 Co-stars maintain an active WhatsApp group and like to meet at events.

“When we get together, it's like we've never been apart. Same jokes, same one-liners, except some of us are dads now and we tell really bad dad jokes,” Priestley said of his male co-stars.