Back in the early 90s, Shannen Doherty earned global recognition and popularity for her breakout role as Brenda Walsh in the Aaron Spelling-produced TV series, Beverly Hills, 90210. Her performance garnered her a Young Artist award nomination for Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series. Outside her success on the screen though, the American actress was infamous for her troublesome ways on set, forcing her to leave the Beverly Hills TV series.
Shannen went on to enjoy much success during her time on Charmed, although she would end up crossing swords with another co-star, Alyssa Milano, which ultimately got her kicked out of the hit show. Doherty has endured a long and drawn out battle with advanced breast cancer, and depending on your opinion regarding her latest interviews, the experience appears to have humbled her and offered the actress a new and better perspective on life.
Jennette McCurdy, Sam & Cat
Jennette McCurdy became a celebrity when she co-starred with Ariana Grande in the Nickelodeon series, Sam & Cat. Jennette played the character, Sam Puckett, while Ariana played Cat Valentine. The show was first aired on June 8, 2013, and revolved around the story of two girls who became roommates and began a babysitting business.
Jennette’s acting career for the Nickelodeon series was jeopardized when provocative photos of the female star started going viral. It made things even worse when she posted even more photos of the same kind on Instagram. After matters got out of hand, Nickelodeon decided to shut down the show entirely. Currently, Jennette McCurdy is enjoying success on the Netflix sci-fi series, Between.
Selma Blair, Anger Management
In 2012, Selma Blair starred in the short film, Slideshow of Wieners: A Love Story, a satirical love story regarding the internet. Shortly after her admirable performance in the short film, Selma came back to our TV screens as a lead actress in the first showing of FX's Anger Management, with Charlie Sheen as her co-star. Selma Blair starred in a total of 53 episodes of Anger Management, portraying Dr. Kate Wales, Charlie Sheen's therapist, and romantic partner. The series drew a mixed bag of critical reviews but, nevertheless, proved to be a big hit – it garnered 5.74 million viewers when it debuted and is ranked as the #1 viewed sitcom premiere in cable history.
Selma Blair exited Anger Management during the filming of the second season because of disputes with her co-star, Charlie Sheen. She apparently enraged Sheen while they were filming, prompting the actor to work on her immediate firing. Her exit on the show was made official in June of 2013. Selma continues to star in various Hollywood roles, including the horror movie, Mom and Dad, with the inimitable Nicolas Cage, in 2017.
Brian Williams, NBC Nightly News
On December 2, 2004, Brian Williams was named lead anchor of NBC Nightly News, a replacement for Tom Brokaw who was already heading for retirement. Brian’s first year in NBC was highlighted by two major news coverages: the Asian Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, with the latter garnering him critical acclaim. The New York Times described his coverage of the hurricane as a defining moment in his career.
Amidst his success with NBC Nightly News though, he was still kicked out following his confession that a story involving his helicopter being shot down in the air during the war on Iraq was a hoax. Today, Brian Williams is the host of The 11th Hour, with Brian Williams, on MSNBC.
Dana Plato, Diff'rent Strokes
Dana Michelle Plato was cast as Kimberly Drummond on the U.S. television sitcom, Diff'rent Strokes. In the show’s first debut on NBC, in 1978, it instantly became a big hit. Dana was featured on the popular TV sitcom at the start of 1978, well into 1984 and again from 1985 to 1986. The show was broadcast by two separate networks during Dana’s term.
With her sparkling charm, Dana Plato gave Diff’rent Strokes a unique flavor that contributed to its wide appeal to a broad range of audiences. The vibrant persona that she embodied on our TV screens, though, was entirely different from her real life persona, which was deeply affected by substance abuse. The actress tied the knot with a rock star, which led both to her pregnancy and, unfortunately, to her getting fired after producers became uneasy with her status. Dana Michelle Plato died at a very young age in 1999. The actress was just 34.