Actress Denise Dowse has died at the age of 64.
Denise was best known for starring in Beverley Hills, 90210 but also appeared in Grey's Anatomy, Seinfield and Full House during her long and illustrious career in TV.
She most recently had a recurring role on drama Insecure, where she played Dr Rhonda Pine.
TMZ revealed this week that the actress, was battling with a "virulent form of meningitis" and was in a coma. Denise's sister Tracey Dowse asked fans at the time to send "support and prayers".
Today, Tracey took to Instagram to confirm the sad news of her sister's death.
“I want to take this moment to thank our friends and family for all of the love and prayers. It is with a very heavy heart that I inform everyone that my sister, Denise Dowse has gone forward to meet our family in eternal life," wrote Tracey.
She continued, “Denise Yvonne Dowse was the most amazing sister, a consummate, illustrious actress, mentor and director. She was my very best friend and final family member. Denise loved all of you. I know that she is watching over us with all the love she has.
“Again I am so grateful for all the calls, text messages, direct messages, and silent prayers for my sister. We could not have made it so gracefully and painlessly without all of the prayer warriors around the world. Thank you for giving so selflessly,” she ended.
Denise's former 90210 co-star Ian Ziering responded to the post to say the news was 'insanely heartbreaking.'
“Throughout all my years working on Beverly Hills 90210, my scenes with Denise will always be remembered with the utmost in respect for her talent, and fondness for the loving soul she was. Some of my heartiest off camera laughs were between she and I hammering out the the discipline her Mrs. Teasley would dish out to my Steve Sanders. My sincere condolences to her family, and all others who she was dear to. God bless you Denise, pay forward that Legacy Key,” he wrote.
As well as her long history of credits in a number of big name US sitcoms and drama, Denise also played big parts in a number of hit films including Coach Carter, Ray and Requiem for a Dream.
She took up the director's role for an upcoming film titled Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story. The movie features the likes of Vanessa Williams, Corbin Blue and Columbus Short.
