Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Now 35, 'Beverly Hills, 90210' shaped generations of teen TV
Beverly Hills 90210 featured a breakout cast led by Jason Priestly and Shannon Doherty playing twins.
(
Paramount Home Entertainment
)
Today marks 35 years since the premiere of Beverly Hills, 90210 — the show that turned a ZIP code into pop culture shorthand.
The hit teen drama ran for 10 seasons, following twins Brandon and Brenda Walsh, transplants from the Midwest navigating life among Beverly Hills’ privileged.
A defining teen show of the 1990s, Beverly Hills 90210 tackled tackled serious issues like mental health and teenage pregnancy.
(
Courtesy Paramount Home Entertainment
)
It also pushed boundaries for network TV, diving into drug use, mental health and teen sexuality — including Brenda’s first time with brooding boyfriend Dylan McKay.
Support for LAist comes from
Alongside the breakout cast, Los Angeles played a starring role on the show with nods to gridlock, clubs on the Sunset Strip and the Valley.
Though largely shot on a soundstage, the show also leaned heavily on exterior shots to showcase L.A.
Torrance High School stood in for the show’s West Beverly Hills High. Occidental College doubled as the fictional California University — which the 90210 kids attended after they graduated high school — finally. (Creator Darren Starr stretched the high school years across seasons.)
All the while, an Altadena home appeared as the Walsh family’s house. It’s still standing, untouched by the Eaton Fire.
The Walsh House, from the television series "Beverly Hills 90210" remains standing beside a fire-ravaged home in Altadena.
(
Frederic Brown
/
AFP
)
Support for LAist comes from
Much of the cast remains visible in Hollywood. In addition to acting, Gabrielle Carteris, who played school paper editor Andrea Zuckerman, took on the role of SAG-AFTRA president, leading 160,000 performers for more than five years.
Meanwhile, Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling — forever Kelly Taylor and Donna Martin — launched a rewatch podcast called 9021OMG in 2020 that thrills fans with anecdotes from the set.
Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth attend the Beverly Hills 90210 Peach Pit Pop-Up in L.A. in 2019.
(
Emma McIntyre
/
Getty Images
)
But recent years have also brought grief to the fandom.
Shannon Doherty, so memorable as the tempestuous Brenda, died in July 2024 after living with breast cancer for a decade. Luke Perry, who rose to teen idol status as Dylan, died in 2019 after a major stroke.
But for fans craving high-stakes love triangles and cliffhangers, 90210’s DNA lives on in its own 2019 reboot and in spiritual successors like Gossip Girl, The O.C. and Euphoria.
Support for LAist comes from
In a tribute move, Riverdale cast Perry as the main character’s steady, blue-collar dad in his last role.
Actress Shannen Doherty attends a Paramount Network Launch Party in 2018 in Los Angeles.
(
Earl Gibson III
/
Getty Images
)
Luke Perry speaks during a 2018 press tour for "Riverdale."
(
Frederick M. Brown
/
Getty Images
)
Now the show that first made Perry famous is getting its own moment.
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of 90210, Paramount Home Entertainment is releasing a remastered version of all 10 seasons on Oct. 20.
Glamorous angst will never have looked this good — or high-def.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
About half the Pacific Airshow’s 2025 lineup has been grounded because of the federal government shutdown. -
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding. -
Scientists say La Niña is likely, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a dry winter in Southern California. -
According to a grand jury report the contractor took advantage of strained relations and political pressures to “force” the city to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to settle disputes. -
Administrators say the bargaining units should be dismissed, or that they have no standing. One campus is going after the federal agency in charge of union activity. -
The landslide is not connected to the greater Portuguese Bend landslide, city officials said.
Best of LAist