Heather Locklear

Biography / Gallery

Heather Locklear signed memorabilia @ eBay UK (direct link)

American Actress

Date of Birth

25 September 1961, Westwood, California, USA

Birth Name

Heather Deen Locklear

Height

5' 5"

Overview

Heather Locklear became one of the defining television actresses of the 1980s and 1990s, known for her blend of glamour, sharp comedic timing, and unforgettable screen presence. Her rise began while attending UCLA, where she modeled and appeared in commercials before transitioning into television roles. Her early guest appearances on shows like CHiPs, Eight Is Enough, and The Fall Guy led to the role that made her a household name: Sammy Jo on Aaron Spelling’s hit series Dynasty.

Spelling recognized her star power immediately and cast her again opposite William Shatner in the police drama T.J. Hooker. Throughout the 1980s, Locklear became a fixture on American television, seamlessly juggling major roles on two high-profile series while appearing in TV movies and specials.

Career Peak

In the 1990s, Locklear secured the role that defined her career: the iconic Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place (1993–1999). Her performance earned widespread acclaim, multiple award nominations, and a win for “Best Actress in a TV Series” from First Americans in the Arts. Her portrayal of Amanda remains one of TV’s most enduring “power boss” characters.

Following Melrose Place, she joined the cast of Spin City opposite Michael J. Fox and later Charlie Sheen, again earning praise for her comedic skill. She also served for six years as a spokesperson for the Health and Tennis Corporation of America.

2000s and Later Work

Locklear starred in the 2004–2005 NBC airport drama LAX, and continued to work steadily in television and film. She has made recurring and guest appearances in a number of series into the 2010s and 2020s. In recent years, Locklear has returned to acting after periods of personal challenges, with projects including the 2021 Lifetime film Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and continued development of new TV work.

Personal Life

Locklear married Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee in 1986; the couple divorced in 1993. In 1994 she married Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora, with whom she has one daughter. The couple separated in 2006. On 3 February 2006, her publicist confirmed that Locklear and Sambora were divorcing, stating the matter would remain private.

2000s to Present

In the 2000s, Heather Locklear starred in the airport drama LAX (2004–2005) and continued appearing in guest roles across television. After some highly publicised personal struggles in the 2010s, she gradually returned to acting. In 2021, she starred in the Lifetime biographical film Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, marking a well-received comeback performance. Since then, Locklear has taken on additional television and streaming projects, maintaining a lower public profile while remaining a respected presence in the industry.