Kurt Iswarienko: Who Is Shannen Doherty's Ex-Husband?

Shannen Doherty has been married not once, not twice, but three times — not that her first two marriages lasted very long. She wed George Hamilton's son Ashley Hamilton in 1994, but they split just five months later. The "Beverly Hills, 90210" star also said "I do" to poker player Rick Salomon, but their union was annulled after nine months. Then, there was Kurt Iswarienko, and although it ultimately didn't work out between them either, he was different.

The "Charmed" alum married her latest beau in 2011. Iswarienko also works in Hollywood as a photographer and in the electrical department for films. Although you probably didn't realize it, you saw his work in "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Clockstoppers," and "The Pandora Project," among other projects. According to AmoMama, Iswarienko met the "Heathers" star in 2008, but at the time, he was married to another actor, Taryn Band. 

Once the photographer divorced Band, he and Doherty dated. Her longest relationship by far, the couple remained married for 11 years until the outspoken activist filed for divorce in April 2023 with an insider sadly informing People: "Unfortunately, she felt she was left with no other option." 

The beginning of the celebrity couple's relationship was captured by reality TV cameras in 2012, on the short-lived show "Shannen Says." But Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty conquered far more than the infamous reality TV curse. Indeed, as longtime fans likely already know, the '90s TV icon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. 

It resurfaced in 2019, with Doherty telling Elle the following year: "I'm not ready for pasture. I've got a lot of life in me." However, rather than the stress of her illness derailing their marriage, Doherty clarified to People, "Cancer solidified us. Kurt and I have a much deeper appreciation for each other now."

The outspoken star continued, "We don't let a night go by mad at each other. The last time we had a big argument was pre-cancer." She also said about Iswarienko, "Cancer alters the people in your life. And it's shaped both of us. We look at life very differently now." Evidently, the disease put a of things into perspective. 

Moreover, as the actor added about her relationship with Kurt Iswarienko pre-cancer, "We were definitely going through some growing pains. We would lock horns on things, and instead of resolving it, we wouldn't speak for a couple of days," (via People). She also no longer felt the need to be sexy, clarifying, "How Kurt sees me really helps me be a better person. He was always like, 'I've never seen someone handle something so difficult with so much grace. You're so strong.' And I figured out, it's a quiet strength. And that is far sexier and appealing than I had before."

Doherty also confirmed, "He was my rock in every way possible." The couple quarantined together during the COVID-19 pandemic and, by all accounts, they seemed to enjoy being stuck at home. As the photographer wrote on Instagram, alongside a selfie of the two snuggling up, "Quarantine needs a better name. Because it's been a good journey in many ways. It isn't all bad." Everything seemed to be well with the couple even despite the actor's significant health struggles. 

In fact, in a 2010 interview with People, the TV star even expressed her desire to make marriage work no matter what, especially given her previous bad experiences. "I've definitely found my soulmate," she excitedly told E! News in 2012. "I've found my partner. He's a good one—and it's about time." As far as Doherty was concerned, this relationship was forever, which was why it came as such a shock when she ended things with Iswarienko.

In April 2023, amid Shannen Doherty's ongoing battle with Stage 4 breast cancer, TMZ reported that the actor had filed for divorce from her husband of over a decade, Kurt Iswarienko. The couple actually split months prior, with Doherty citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the divorce, per People. Although they don't share any kids, the "Charmed" alum requested that Iswarienko receive no spousal support (but she did demand it from him). 

Rumors circulated that the photographer had cheated on her, especially given that his agent was reportedly heavily involved in the legal proceedings. Iswarienko hasn't responded publicly at the time of writing but according to insiders who spoke to TMZ, things were very messy behind the scenes. Likewise, Doherty posted on Instagram about mistreatment and the kind of people who should be included in your life around the time the breakup became public knowledge. 

In a November 2023 interview with People, the nineties icon expressed her hopes of finding love again someday, reasoning, "I don't think I'm going to be single forever. I have to love myself and reckon with the past, really, before I can move forward, and now I'm pretty sure I'll meet somebody — hopefully soon."