It has been more than 26 years since viewers bid farewell to the teens of one of the 1990s most iconic television series, Beverly Hills, 90210. The show concluded on 17 May 2000, having transformed actors such as Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Luke Perry, Tori Spelling, and Brian Austin Green into household names. Brian portrayed David Silver, the boyfriend of Donna Martin, played by Tori Spelling.
A Decade of Drama
Incredibly, the series ran for ten seasons, initially focusing on the culture shock experienced by twins Brandon (Priestley) and Brenda (Doherty) when their family relocated from Minneapolis to Beverly Hills. Over time, it chronicled their friendships and relationships, tackling heavy subjects including sex, date rape, homophobia, alcoholism, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, suicide, and AIDS. Brian appeared in all ten seasons, evolving from a gawky freshman into a central character within the group.
Life After the Peach Pit
When Beverly Hills, 90210 ended with Donna and David's wedding, some stars found it difficult to move on from their roles. However, Brian continued to build a successful acting career, taking on roles such as fighting cyborgs in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and appearing in a recurring role on Desperate Housewives as a love interest for Bree Hodge. A reboot of 90210 also aired in 2019.
His personal life proved more challenging. In 2004, Brian met Megan Fox on the set of the US sitcom Hope & Faith. He was 30 years old, while she was 18. Recalling their first meeting, Megan told the New York Times: "Everyone was around the monitor watching a scene, and Brian accidentally touched my leg. I remember literal electricity shooting through me and out me from every direction. I liked him right away. It was like magic." Megan was reportedly persistent in convincing Brian she was ready for a serious relationship, and just two years later, the couple became engaged.
They called off their engagement in 2009, with Megan explaining that marriage was not a realistic goal for a 23-year-old. However, they married in a private ceremony just a year later. Their relationship experienced many ups and downs; Megan filed for divorce in 2015 but withdrew the petition when she became pregnant with their third child. They finally separated in 2020, citing irreconcilable differences, and nearly a year later, the estranged couple submitted their divorce judgment.
In 2019, Brian reflected on their relationship, saying: "Neither one of us did anything to each other. She's always been honest with me and I've always been honest with her. And I know she will always love me and I know as far as a family, what we have built is really cool and really special. So we decided let's make sure we don't lose that. That no matter what we're always friends with each other and we're a united front with the kids."
New Beginnings
Megan went on to date Machine Gun Kelly, while Brian, now 53, found happiness with Dancing With The Stars professional Sharna Burgess. He underwent a vasectomy in 2022 after having five children: a son with Vanessa Marcil, three boys with Megan, and another child with Sharna.
Tragically, Shannen Doherty passed away in 2024 after a lengthy battle with cancer, while Luke Perry died from a massive stroke five years earlier.
