Every Major Actor from ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ Who Died
‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ ran for ten seasons and helped define 1990s teen television, bringing together a core cast and an ever-rotating circle of parents, teachers, love interests, and celebrity guest stars. Over the years, several of those actors have sadly passed away, including original leads and memorable recurring players who helped shape storylines at West Beverly High and California University.
This list gathers the major names from the original ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ who are no longer with us. For each person, you will find a quick refresher on the role they played on the series and a concise summary of when and how they died, along with a few career highlights outside ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’.
Shannen Doherty
Shannen Doherty starred as Brenda Walsh across the first four seasons, returning later for special appearances connected to the franchise. On the series, Brenda arrived in Beverly Hills with her family, navigated friendships and romances, and left for new opportunities after graduation.
She died in July 2024 at 53 after a long and public battle with breast cancer. Beyond ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’, she led ‘Charmed’ for three seasons and appeared in films including ‘Heathers’, along with directing and producing television projects.
Luke Perry
Luke Perry portrayed Dylan McKay during the original run and returned in the later seasons. Dylan’s arcs included his father’s legal troubles, relationships with Brenda and Kelly, and storylines that moved him from high school rebel to conflicted young adult.
He died in March 2019 at 52 following a massive stroke. Perry later won a new generation of fans as Fred Andrews on ‘Riverdale’, and his film work included ‘8 Seconds’ and ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’.
Joe E. Tata
Joe E. Tata played Nat Bussichio, owner of the Peach Pit, and appeared throughout the series. Nat employed Brandon, mentored the gang, and remained a steady presence as storylines shifted from high school to college and beyond.
He died in August 2022 at 85 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018. Tata’s long television career included appearances on ‘Batman’, ‘The Rockford Files’, and the 2000s spin-off ‘90210’, where he reprised Nat.
Denise Dowse
Denise Dowse recurred as Vice Principal Yvonne Teasley from the early seasons through the college years. Mrs. Teasley guided students through disciplinary issues and academic challenges and was particularly tied to storylines involving school policies and campus life.
She died in August 2022 at 64 following a coma associated with meningitis. Dowse worked steadily across television and film, including roles in ‘The Guardian’, ‘Insecure’, and ‘Ray’, and also built a career as a stage director.
Jed Allan
Jed Allan appeared as Rush Sanders, Steve’s father, beginning in the mid-series years. Rush’s relationship with Steve framed plotlines about family expectations, business, and responsibility during Steve’s transition to adulthood.
He died in March 2019 at 84. Allan was best known for long runs on daytime dramas such as ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Santa Barbara’ and later appeared on ‘General Hospital’.
Nicholas Pryor
Nicholas Pryor portrayed Chancellor Milton Arnold at California University and became a fixture of the college era. He later appeared in family plots through his on-screen daughter Clare, linking administrative storylines to the core friend group.
He died in October 2024 at 89 from cancer. Pryor’s extensive career spanned decades, with credits in films like ‘Risky Business’ and ‘Less Than Zero’ and television work including ‘Port Charles’ and ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’.
David Gail
David Gail played Stuart Carson, who quickly became engaged to Brenda during a whirlwind arc in the fourth season. His character’s wealth and family connections created conflicts that drove Brenda’s decisions across multiple episodes.
He died in January 2024 at 58 after cardiac arrest, with the medical examiner later citing drug intoxication as a factor. Gail went on to star in ‘Savannah’ and had a long run on the soap ‘Port Charles’.
John Reilly
John Reilly recurred as Bill Taylor, Kelly’s often-absent father, during the middle seasons. Bill’s legal and personal troubles affected Kelly’s storylines, including reconciliation attempts and consequences that shaped her relationships.
He died in January 2021 at 86 after a heart attack. Reilly was a veteran of daytime television with marquee roles on ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Passions’, and he appeared in multiple primetime series throughout his career.
Caroline McWilliams
Caroline McWilliams appeared as LuAnn Pruit, mother of Ray Pruit, during the period when Donna’s relationship with Ray dominated the show’s music and nightlife subplots. LuAnn’s involvement added family complications to those arcs.
She died in February 2010 at 64 from multiple myeloma. McWilliams was widely known for ‘Benson’ and ‘Soap’ and worked across television and theater for more than three decades.
Stanley Kamel
Stanley Kamel played Anthony Marchette during the dramatic mob storyline tied to Dylan and Toni. His character’s actions set off consequences that affected Dylan’s trajectory well beyond that season.
He died in April 2008 at 65 from a heart attack. Kamel worked prolifically on television and was especially recognized for his role as Dr. Charles Kroger on ‘Monk’.
Peter Mark Richman
Peter Mark Richman appeared as Lawrence Carson, father to Stuart, during Brenda and Stuart’s engagement arc. His presence underscored the divide between the Walsh family values and the expectations of the Carson family.
He died in January 2021 at 93. Richman’s career included roles in ‘Three’s Company’, ‘The Outer Limits’, and the animated ‘Spider-Man’, along with a long list of guest appearances across primetime dramas.
James Karen
James Karen guested in the season 8 wedding storyline, appearing as the minister during Brandon and Kelly’s near-wedding arc. His appearance tied into episodes that reunited the Walsh parents and revisited key relationships.
He died in October 2018 at 94. Karen’s film and television résumé stretched back to the 1940s and included ‘Poltergeist’, ‘The China Syndrome’, and recurring parts on numerous television series.
Brian Turk
Brian Turk appeared as Tiny in two season 6 episodes associated with the campus football and fraternity storylines. His character intersected with plots involving Steve and CU athletics.
He died in September 2019 at 49 after a battle with cancer. Turk worked in film and television, notably on ‘Carnivàle’, with additional roles on series including ‘General Hospital’ and in features such as ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’.
Carrie Hamilton
Carrie Hamilton guested in season 1 as Sky in the episode ‘Stand Up and Deliver’. Her character’s influence led Brenda to briefly move out and consider leaving school, a turning point early in the series.
She died in January 2002 at 38 due to complications related to cancer. Hamilton’s career covered television, film, and theater, and she frequently collaborated with her mother, Carol Burnett.
Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry guest-starred in season 1 as Roger Azarian in ‘April Is the Cruelest Month’. The episode explored pressure and mental health as Brandon intervened when Roger’s situation escalated.
He died in October 2023 at 54. Perry became world-famous for ‘Friends’ and worked across television and stage, with additional series including ‘The Odd Couple’ and ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip’.
Burt Reynolds
Burt Reynolds appeared as himself in a season 3 episode that intertwined with a Peach Pit storyline and a celebrity encounter subplot involving Dylan and Steve. His cameo added a real-world Hollywood note to the show’s Beverly Hills setting.
He died in September 2018 at 82 after cardiac arrest. Reynolds’ career spanned decades with major films such as ‘Deliverance’ and ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ and television work including ‘Evening Shade’.
Wings Hauser
Wings Hauser appeared during season 6 in episodes tied to athletics and campus life, adding an edge to plots involving competition and influence at CU. His guest role intersected with storylines that brought the gang into contact with the pressures around collegiate sports.
He died in May 2024 at 76. Hauser worked extensively in film and television, including standout turns in ‘Vice Squad’ and recurring television roles through the 1980s and 1990s.
If we missed someone you think belongs on this list from ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’, share their name and the episode or role in the comments so everyone can weigh in.