Shannen Doherty‘s Heathers co-star Lisanne Falk is opening up about her tragic death.
On Monday, Lisanne — the last remaining Heather from the cult classic — began a heartfelt Instagram tribute by admitting she “felt quite conflicted about whether I should post anything about Shannen’s passing.” She explained that the performers “weren’t friends” and hadn’t spoken since the film was released in 1989 and “defined us both in a public fashion.” Shannen and Lisanne played popular high schoolers Heather Duke and Heather McNamara, respectively.
But after recently listening to an episode of the Charmed star’s podcast, Let’s Be Clear, “by chance,” she “was genuinely moved by” by the 53-year-old’s “desire to ‘set the record straight’ as she owned up to some of the uncomfortable hunks of truth in her past.”
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She expressed:
“We’ve all got them. Yet Shannen’s courage in addressing them publicly as her health deteriorated, well, there is really only one response – How … very!”
That’s, of course, an iconic line from the film. And she’s right. It’s not easy to open up about the past in the way that the Beverly Hills, 90210 alum did! Considering this, the actress felt it was only right to pay tribute to her former co-star, continuing:
“I am truly saddened to hear the news. And if her portrayal of Heather Duke were to serve as her epitaph, I, for one, as the last remaining Heather would think it more than sufficient. Certainly no one else could have landed the line: ‘Veronica, why are you pulling my d**k?’ like Shannen did.”
Lisanne is the last remaining Heather due to her co-stars dying far, far too young. Kim Walker, who played iconic queen bee Heather Chandler, died of a brain tumor at just 32 years old in 2001. Reflecting on her fallen co-stars, Lisanne went on:
“Apparently my generation has reached that station in life where it’s time we look back in order to try to understand how we got here. Tragically, Heather Chandler never had the chance to reflect, and now Heather Duke was interrupted just as she was clearing her throat. If it is Heather McNamara’s fate to have the last word for the Heather’s, then let it be this:
It’s been an honor to occupy our own little patch of the zeitgeist, together as one, out here on the fringe, where all the cool kids hang, a cult classic. Thank you, Heather. And Heather.
May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, Shannen. You always had the balls, didn’t you? For better or worse, no more pulling your d**k.”
In a strange and heartbreaking coincidence, the actresses have died in the same order as their characters in the film, too. Wild how that happens sometimes… See Lisanne’s full tribute (below):
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In response, Andy Fickman, the director of Heathers: the Musical, commented:
“So Very … Beautifully said. Love you! Xo.”
Reactions? Let us know (below).
[Image via YouTube Movies & TV & WENN/Avalon & Lisanne Falk/Instagram]