The ‘Charmed’ Stars Are Barely Recognizable 26 Years Later – What Happened to Them?

Here’s a dive into the lives of the actresses who starred in the popular TV series “Charmed,” which ran from 1998 to 2006. It captivated viewers with its mix of supernatural elements and strong family relationships.

The storyline centered on the Halliwell sisters, Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and later Paige. The four discovered they were powerful witches with a destiny to combat evil. These characters were played by Holly Marie Combs, Shannen Doherty, Alyssa Milano, and Rose McGowan.

The three original sisters on the show discovered they come from a line of kind female witches. They were given the mission to use their shared magical abilities, called the “Power of Three,” to combat evil forces.

Each sister had a unique power and personality, which enriched the show. This combination created a captivating story that kept viewers engaged for all eight seasons. So, where are the actresses who played the sisters today, 26 years after the show aired?

Shannen Doherty as Prue Halliwell

Shannen Doherty was born on April 12, 1971, in Memphis, Tennessee. Her acting career began early, with her debut at age ten on the series “Father Murphy” (1981).

By age eleven, she was recognized as a child actress, notably playing Jenny Wilder on “Little House on the Prairie” (1974). She went on to appear in other productions, including “Our House” and “Mallrats,” before being cast as Prue Halliwell on “Charmed” in 1988.

As for her personal life, Doherty has been married three times. She tied the knot for the first time to Ashley Hamilton on September 24, 1993, and the two divorced on November 7, 1994.

The actress’s second wedding was to Rick Salomon, which took place on January 25, 2002. The exes had the marriage annulled on May 16, 2003.

Doherty went on to marry Kurt Iswarienko on October 25, 2011. But now, the actress has filed for divorce after finding out her estranged husband’s infidelity.

Aside from marriage woes, Doherty is facing serious health challenges. In 2015, she disclosed that she was battling breast cancer and undergoing treatment. The actress was first diagnosed in March 2015 after discovering that she had invasive breast cancer metastatic to at least one lymph node.

A hopeful Doherty had said, “I am continuing to eat right, exercise, and stay very positive about my life. I am thankful to my family, friends, and doctors for their support and, of course, my fans who have stood by me.”

The movie star went into remission in 2017. She announced that while her heart felt lighter, the next five years were crucial. The actress pointed out that recurrences are common, and many others in her situation have experienced them.

Sadly, in 2017, Doherty’s cancer returned, bringing with it a whirlwind of emotions as she described it as having many phases. She went through the stages of shock, denial, acceptance, anger, resentment, rebellion, fear, appreciation, and beauty. She wrote that in all stages, “Cancer is with you forever.”

In the post shared during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a poignant image of Doherty showed her holding clumps of her hair. She had started chemotherapy and was using a cold cap in hopes of keeping her hair.

Despite her efforts, she ended up with clumps of hair in her hands. She felt sick and like she was losing herself. Throughout this journey, the actress gained new relationships and lost others. She ended up experiencing the profound impact of cancer on her life and connections.

Doherty beat cancer again in 2017 but it resurfaced in 2020 when she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, which later spread to her bones. In her podcast “Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty” the actress also announced that the cancer had spread to her brain.

In January 2023, she underwent brain surgery, which removed most of the cancer. The rest was removed using brain radiation. She also divulged that she went into the surgery early in the morning just after learning that her marriage to Iswarienko was over.

She narrated, “I went in after I found out that, you know, my marriage was essentially over, that my husband had been carrying on an affair for two years.”

Even with the loss of her marriage and battling cancer for over eight years, she remains positive. She said she got closure about her marriage and can move on in a healthy manner. The 53-year-old doesn’t believe she will be single forever.

However, she wants to reckon with the past and is positive that the future holds someone special for her. Doherty feels so blessed and knows that her greatest memory is yet to come. She is grateful for every moment she is alive and is looking forward to a happy and thriving future.

Alyssa Milano as Phoebe Halliwell

Alyssa Milano, born on December 19, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York City, comes from an Italian-American background. Her entry into the acting world happened by chance.

One day, her babysitter, an aspiring dancer, took Milano along to an open audition for the first national tour of “Annie.” Surprisingly, Milano was chosen from among 1,500 other girls for a role, not her babysitter.

At the young age of seven, Milano, accompanied by her mother, joined the tour playing the part of July, one of the orphans. She gained recognition as a lively and charming actress. After spending 18 months touring, the actress left “Annie.”

She started performing in off-Broadway shows and television commercials. Milano’s big break came in 1983 when, at the age of 10, she was cast as Samantha Micelli, Tony Danza’s sweet daughter, in the sitcom “Who’s the Boss?” in 1984.

Later, in 1988, Alyssa Milano became a part “Charmed” series, playing Phoebe Halliwell, one of the three lead characters. Today, she still wears the title of an actress alongside that of a writer, producer, and mother.

In 2021, Milano went through what she described as a “terrifying and traumatic event.” The actress was traveling with her uncle, when he suffered a serious heart attack, resulting in a car crash.

Milano’s uncle was taken to the hospital with grave injuries. “Uncle Mitch is such an important part of our family. He’s with us every day, spending time with my children and present in every meaningful part of our lives. He’s still in the hospital, and we are unsure if he will recover,” she divulged.

Milano thanked first responders, doctors, nurses, and staff at UCLA Medical Center who took care of her uncle. She urged her followers to get CPR certified as they never know when they might be called upon to help.

Aside from raising awareness of the importance of being CPR-certified, Milano was also vocal during the #MeToo movement. She revealed that she had experienced sexual harassment.

The 51-year-old played a significant role in amplifying the movement. Her role was vital as she encouraged women to share their experiences of sexual harassment and assault on social media.

She also shared her own experiences to help bring attention to the widespread issue. The actress went ahead to support others who had gone through similar situations.

As for her marital life, Milano first got married on January 1, 1999. However, she and her first husband, Cinjun Tate divorced on November 20, 1999.

The actress is now a mom of two, Milo Thomas and Elizabella Dylan Bugliari. She shares her kids with her current husband Dave Bugliari, relishing in motherhood and wifehood.

Holly Marie Combs as Piper Halliwell

Holly Marie Combs, born on December 9, 1973, in San Diego, California, moved to New York City at the age of seven. Her striking looks quickly earned her roles in print advertisements and commercials. These opportunities sparked her interest in acting.

Following a series of minor roles, Combs secured a major part as Kimberly in the TV drama “Picket Fences” in 1992. The show aired for four years and garnered Combs critical praise, along with a Young Actors Award.

After “Picket Fences” concluded, the actress took on several roles in television movies. In 1998, her close friend Doherty informed her about “Charmed.” Combs auditioned for and won the role of Piper Halliwell, in the hit show, which catapulted her to international fame.

Much like Milano, Combs has been active in advocacy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she strongly supported the vaccination campaign.

She shared her personal experience of being vaccinated despite having multiple autoimmune issues. The actress emphasized the importance of vaccination for the greater good. “If not for you then for the people who shouldn’t have to die,” she urged.

Furthermore, as years went by, Combs’ physical appearance changed. Fans, who used to call her stunning pointed out that she had gained weight. “Holly marie combs has gained HELLA weight,” one user wrote.

A user who concurred, exclaimed, “Wow she is so heavy.” Fans who knew her from “Charmed” also commented, “Omg Holly Marie Combs put on so much weight since Charmed!”

Just like her co-stars, Holly Marie Combs has been through divorce. She first got married in 1993 to Bryan Smith and the two parted ways in 1997.

The actress went on to marry David Donoho in 2004. The exes divorced in 2011. However, they share three sons, Finley Arthur, Riley Edward, and Kelley Donoho.

Combs was happy to become a mom as she didn’t know she could be one. At 24, she underwent surgery to remove a fibroid the size of a baseball. The mom of three went on to have her first son and after battling postpartum thyroiditis, she had her second and later third son.

Combs found love again after her second divorce. She met her current husband restauranteur Mike Ryan after her second divorce. In 2019, the two exchanged vows at a private outdoor ceremony in Carmel, Calif.

The 50-year-old was not looking for love when Ryan came into her life but she welcomed it cautiously. “Our connection was so immediate. Just when I stopped looking for the perfect person, the perfect person showed up,” she gushed.

Now, alongside her career, Combs is a dedicated mother and wife. She is living her best life with her perfect person while raising her three sons.

Rose McGowan as Paige Matthews

Rose McGowan, an American actress and director, was born on September 5, 1973, in Tuscany, Italy. She began her career at nineteen and has since starred in notable films directed by Quentin Tarantino, Gregg Araki, and Brian De Palma.

As a child, McGowan was part of the Italian chapter of the Children of God. In the early 1980s, her family left the group and moved to Eugene, Oregon, USA. After her parents divorced, she relocated to Gig Harbor, Washington, to live with her grandmother.

McGowan’s acting career took off with her role in “The Doom Generation” in 1995. Eventually, she joined the cast of “Charmed” in its fourth season as Paige Matthews. Matthews was the Halliwells’ half-sister, who brought her own evolving magical abilities to the series.

In the late 2000s as she starred in “Charmed,” McGowan’s appearance sparked widespread media speculation. Due to her changed outlook, she was accused of having undergone plastic surgery. At the time, she attributed the changes to reconstructive surgery following a severe car accident.

However, in her 2018 memoir “Brave,” she disclosed that the real cause was a medical procedure that went wrong. McGowan explained that during surgery to correct a lifelong sinus issue, the surgeon accidentally punctured the skin below her right eye.

This mistake necessitated reconstructive surgery, which left her right eye looking slightly pinched. To maintain symmetry, she also had surgery on her left eye.

Rose McGowan is also an outspoken advocate for women’s rights. She participated in the Women’s March in January 2017, which advocated for equality, including equal pay for women.

The 50-year-old also took part in the #MeToo movement. She has been a vocal critic of the systemic issues that allow such behavior to persist. McGowan took the bold step of calling for greater accountability and change within Hollywood and beyond.

As for today, the actress used her social media platforms to advocate for change. She shares her thoughts on current events and provides support to her audience.

The actresses from “Charmed” have certainly carved out successful lives beyond their iconic roles on the show. They have embraced various personal and professional endeavors. The four have also created fulfilling lives filled with advocacy, family, and continuous creativity.