Heather Locklear

Heather Locklear

Heather Locklear at the 45th Emmy Awards, 1993
Born Heather Deen Locklear
September 25, 1961 (1961-09-25) (age 49)
Westwood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation Actress
Years active 1979–present
Spouse Tommy Lee (1986–1993)
Richie Sambora (1994–2007)

Heather Deen Locklear (born September 25, 1961) is an American actress best known for her television roles as Sammy Jo Carrington on Dynasty, Officer Stacy Sheridan on T.J. Hooker, Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place, and Caitlin Moore on Spin City.

Contents

Biography

Early life

Locklear was born in Westwood, Los Angeles, California, the daughter of William Robert Locklear and Diane (née Tinsley). She was raised in Thousand Oaks, California and graduated from Newbury Park High School.[1][2] Locklear is the youngest of four children.[3] She is also of part Lumbee descent.[4]

Career

While attending the University of California, Los Angeles, Locklear began modeling and working in commercials for the school store. Locklear's earliest screen appearances were in the early 1980s when she gained small roles in episodes of CHiPs, 240-Robert, and Eight Is Enough, before Aaron Spelling cast her in the role of Sammy Jo Dean during the second season of his TV series Dynasty. It would be the beginning of a highly successful long-term collaboration with Spelling who, the following year, cast her in the cop show T.J. Hooker with William Shatner. Until the mid 1980s, Locklear would appear as a series regular on T.J. Hooker whilst making semi-regular appearances on Dynasty. She later became a full-time cast member on Dynasty in 1985 until its cancellation in 1989. In 1991, the cast of Dynasty (including Locklear) reconvened for the three-hour mini-series Dynasty: The Reunion.

Following Dynasty, Locklear had a starring role in the movie The Return of Swamp Thing (for which she won the satirical Razzie Award for Worst Actress[5]) and also starred in the short-lived sitcom Going Places. In 1993, she then went on to play another of her best known roles, that of scheming vixen Amanda Woodward on Aaron Spelling's drama series Melrose Place, which was a spin-off of Beverly Hills, 90210. The show initially suffered from low ratings during its first season which prompted Spelling to change the series to a soap opera format and cast some new characters. Spelling originally signed Locklear for a limited four episode run, the first of which aired on January 27, 1993.[6] The changes Spelling made to the show proved successful and ratings slowly increased. Locklear was invited to become a full-time castmember (though would continue to be billed as "Special Guest Star" in the opening credits), and by May 1994 Melrose Place had become one of the most popular television dramas in the United States among 18-to-34 year-olds, for a time garnering even higher ratings than Beverly Hills, 90210. The series ran for seven years until its cancellation in 1999.

Throughout her career, Locklear has starred or guest-starred in no less than seven different television series produced by Aaron Spelling, these being Dynasty, T.J. Hooker, Matt Houston, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Hotel, and Melrose Place.

Locklear was the special guest host on Saturday Night Live on May 14, 1994, with musical guest Janet Jackson. Two of her most famous skits included her as an elderly Jewish woman on Coffee Talk with Mike Myers, and her acting as Amanda Woodward in a Wayne's World skit with Myers, Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, and Phil Hartman where Wayne has a dream that he's a character on Melrose Place. Locklear also made a cameo in Wayne's World 2 in 1993. In 1996, she also appeared as the main guest on Muppets Tonight, during which she performed in a muppet-style spoof of Melrose entitled "Muppet Heights".

Locklear graced the cover of Rolling Stone magazine on May 19, 1994 as Melrose Place reached the height of its popularity.[7] She was named one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People twice, once in 1994,[3] and the second time in 2001.[8] She was also the subject of a Lifetime Intimate Portrait special, and of an E! True Hollywood Story special.

After Melrose Place ended in 1999, Locklear was immediately cast in the TV sitcom Spin City (initially opposite Michael J. Fox and later opposite Charlie Sheen). The series ended in 2002, but earned Locklear two more Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy.

Later in 2002, Locklear also had a brief recurring role on the sitcom Scrubs. In 2003, she starred in a pilot for her own comedy series, Once Around the Park, but this was unsuccessful. The same year, Locklear appeared in the theatrical film Uptown Girls.

In 2004, Locklear made a guest appearance on the sitcom Two and a Half Men which starred her former Spin City co-star Charlie Sheen. She then returned to television drama and starred in the short-lived series LAX set in the busy airport of the same name. She was also executive producer on the series, but it was cancelled after 11 episodes.

In 2005, Locklear appeared in the theatrical film The Perfect Man with Hilary Duff. The same year, she had a brief recurring role on the series Boston Legal which starred her former T.J. Hooker co-star William Shatner, and was also featured in a Biography Channel special.

In 2006, Locklear starred in another television pilot, Women of a Certain Age, but this was unsuccessful. The following year, she made another pilot for ABC, See Jayne Run, about a business woman who juggles a career with single motherhood, but this was also unsuccessful. Also in 2007, Locklear guest-starred on the series Hannah Montana and in the sitcom Rules of Engagement.

In 2007, she was placed 25 on TV Guide & Entertainment Weekly's "100 Greatest TV Icons" list ]].[9].

In September 2009, it was announced that Locklear was to join the cast of The CW's updated version of Melrose Place. Locklear reprised her role of Amanda Woodward, beginning on November 17, 2009 and appeared in almost every episode from then on. Ten years after the end of the original Melrose Place, Amanda Woodward is now a partner in a PR firm, and is both mentor and tormentor to a young underling, Ella, played by Katie Cassidy.[10] However, despite Locklear's appearances (along with various other original series regulars), the new show was not a ratings success and was cancelled after only one season.[11]

Personal life

Locklear with Richie Sambora in 1994

Prior to her marriages, Locklear was romantically linked with several Hollywood personalities including Scott Baio[12] She was married for seven years to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee from May 1986 to August 1993.[13] After their divorce, she married Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora on December 17, 1994 in Paris.[14] She gave birth to a daughter, her only child, in 1997.[15] By 2010 their daughter Ava was already modeling.[16] Locklear filed for divorce from Sambora in February 2006.[17] The following month Sambora filed for joint custody of their daughter and enforcement of a prenuptial agreement.[17] Their divorce was finalized in April 2007.[17] In April 2007, Locklear began a relationship with fellow Melrose Place alum Jack Wagner.[18]

Controversies

In March 2008, Locklear was involved in a controversy when a "9-1-1" call was made by a caller claiming to be her doctor who said that she was trying to commit suicide.[19][20][21] The authorities arrived at Locklear's home shortly afterwards. Locklear's publicist later said that Locklear had never requested any medical assistance and the Ventura County Sheriff's Department later stated that no further action was taken once they arrived at Locklear's Westlake Village home as she appeared to be fine. They did, however, state that they still believed the call to be genuine. On June 24, 2008, she checked into a medical facility in Arizona for psychological issues including anxiety and depression, and requested an in-depth evaluation of her medication in order to receive proper diagnosis and treatment.[22] Her agent confirmed that she was suffering from anxiety and depression.[23] On July 23, 2008 Locklear returned home after four weeks of treatment at the facility.[24]

In September 2008, Locklear was pulled over and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence by a California Highway Patrol officer just outside Santa Barbara after she was seen driving erratically.[25] Police had been tipped off about Locklear's driving by Jill Ishkanian, a former reporter and editor at Us Weekly magazine, who saw Locklear outside a market in Montecito, California. Ishkanian photographed the incident and then sold the photos to celebrity news website TMZ.com for $27,500, though she claims it was entirely a chance meeting and denies following Locklear or setting her up in order to obtain photographs. Locklear was formally charged on November 17, 2008, with one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence.[26] A blood test detected no alcohol or illegal narcotics, but Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney Lee Carter stated that they believe the prescription medications she consumed for her anxiety and depression "could have impaired her ability to safely drive a motor vehicle".[27] On January 2, 2009, Locklear pleaded no contest to one charge of reckless driving, a misdemeanor, and in return the district attorney dismissed the DUI charges. Locklear will serve three years' informal probation, was fined $700 and must complete a DMV road and safety class.[28]

On April 21, 2010, Locklear was arrested on suspicion of hit and run, when a no parking sign was wrecked at 4 a.m. and vehicle debris was found. Police discovered that her car, parked in her garage, showed apparently matching damage. Her lawyer confirmed that Locklear had been cited for a traffic misdemeanor as the vehicle's owner, but said it was not clear who was driving at the time of the accident.[29] [30] On May 26, 2010, the Ventura County District Attorney announced that no criminal charges will be filed because there was “insufficient evidence” to determine who was driving the car at the time of the collision.[31][32]

Awards and nominations

Golden Globe Awards:

First Americans in the Arts Awards:

TV Land Awards:

Golden Raspberry "Razzie" Awards:

Filmography

Year Title Role
1984 Firestarter Victoria 'Vicky' Tomlinson McGee
1989 The Return of Swamp Thing Abby Arcane
1991 The Big Slice Tanya
1993 Wayne's World 2 Herself (cameo)
1996 The First Wives Club Sharon (cameo)
1997 Double Tap Kat Shaw
2000 Money Talks Grace Cipriani
2003 Looney Tunes Back in Action Dusty Tails
2003 Uptown Girls Roma
2005 The Perfect Man Jean Hamilton
2006 Oranges Irene
2008 Flirting With Forty Jackie

Television work

Year Title Role
1979 Tales of the Unexpected Pat Ward
1980 CHiPs Teenager
1981 240-Robert Jean
Eight is Enough Ingrid
The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies Heather (uncredited)
Twirl Cherie Sanders
1981–1989 Dynasty Sammy Jo Carrington
1982 The Fall Guy June Edwards
Fantasy Island Lorraine Wentworth
Matt Houston Cindy McNichol
1982–1986 T.J. Hooker Officer Stacy Sheridan
1983 Hotel Miranda Harding
The Love Boat Patti Samuels
The Fall Guy Paige Connally
1984 City Killer Andrea McKnight
1988 Rock 'n' Roll Mom Darcy X
1990 Jury Duty: The Comedy Rita Burwald
Rich Men, Single Women Tori
1990–1991 Going Places Alexandra "Alex Burton
1991 Dynasty: The Reunion Sammy Jo Carrington
Her Wicked Ways Melody Shepard
1992 Batman: The Animated Series Lisa Clark (voice)
Body Language Betsy
Highway Heartbreaker Alex
Illusions Jan Sanderson
1993–1999 Melrose Place Amanda Woodward
1993 Fade to Black Victoria
1995 Texas Justice Priscilla Davis
1996 Shattered Mind Suzy/Bonnie/Ginger/Victoria/D.J.
1997 Money Talks Grace Cipriani
1999–2002 Spin City Caitlin Moore
2000 King of the Hill Peggy Donovan (voice)
2002 Ally McBeal Nicole Naples
Scrubs Julie Keaton
2003 Once Around the Park (pilot) Alex Wingfield
2004 Two and a Half Men Laura Lang
2004–2005 LAX Harley Random
2005 Boston Legal Kelly Nolan
2006 Women of a Certain Age (pilot) Barb
2007 Angels Fall Reese Gilmore
Hannah Montana Heather Truscott
Rules of Engagement Barbara
See Jayne Run (pilot) Jayne Doherty
2008 Flirting with Forty Jackie Laurens
2009 Flying By Pamela
2009–2010 Melrose Place Amanda Woodward

Producer

References

  1. ↑ "Heather Locklear". filmreference.com. http://www.filmreference.com/film/11/Heather-Locklear.html. 
  2. ↑ "Biography". movies.yahoo.com. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800048028/bio. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Heather Locklear Biography". People.com. http://www.people.com/people/heather_locklear/biography. Retrieved 2010-03-22. 
  4. ↑ "Frontline: Locklear". Pbs.org. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/secret/famous/locklear.html. Retrieved 2010-04-08. 
  5. ↑ "Razzie Awards 1989". http://www.razzies.com/asp/content/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=29. 
  6. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0646106/
  7. ↑ "1994 Rolling Stone Covers : Photos". Rolling Stone. 1994-05-19. http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/5392236/1994_rolling_stone_covers/photo/9/large/therollingstones. Retrieved 2010-03-22. 
  8. ↑ "Heather Locklear: Actress - Most Beautiful, Heather Locklear". People.com. 2001-05-14. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20134393,00.html. Retrieved 2010-03-22. 
  9. ↑ . http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20152957_20152958_20159773_25,00.html. 
  10. ↑ Itzkoff, Dave (November 8, 2009). "Donning Anew the Miniskirt of a Predator". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/arts/television/08itzk.html. Retrieved May 4, 2010. 
  11. ↑ TV By The Numbers - Melrose Place cancelled
  12. ↑ Keck, William (June 15, 2005). "'Perfect' pals: Locklear and Duff". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-06-15-locklear-duff_x.htm. Retrieved June 14, 2009. 
  13. ↑ Kenny, Glenn (May 10, 1996). "The Seven-Year Hitch". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,292548,00.html. Retrieved June 14, 2009. 
  14. ↑ "Heather Locklear Files for Divorce". People. February 2, 2006. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1155753,00.html. Retrieved June 14, 2009. 
  15. ↑ "Heather Locklear: Biography". TV.com. http://www.tv.com/heather-locklear/person/1503/biography.html. Retrieved June 14, 2009. 
  16. ↑ "Ava Sambora: From Celebrity Child To Runway Model!". The Huffington Post. March 23, 2010. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/23/ava-sambora-from-celebrit_n_509582.html. Retrieved June 21, 2010. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Chiu, Alexis, (April 11, 2007). "Heather Locklear & Richie Sambora's Divorce Finalized". People. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20034452,00.html. Retrieved June 14, 2009. 
  18. ↑ "Heather Locklear & Jack Wagner: Heating Up". People. May 3, 2007. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20037554,00.html. Retrieved June 14, 2009. 
  19. ↑ "Police called to Heather Locklear's home after 'fears she would commit suicide'". Daily Mail. London. March 10, 2008. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-529888/Police-called-Heather-Locklears-home-fears-commit-suicide.html. 
  20. ↑ "Locklear 911 Caller: Actress May Be 'Suicidal'". People. March 12, 2008. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20183713,00.html. 
  21. ↑ "Cops probe Heather Locklear 'suicide attempt'". Showbiz Spy. March 10, 2008. http://www.showbizspy.com/2008/03/10/cops-probe-heather-locklear-suicide-attempt/. 
  22. ↑ Chiu, Alexis (June 24, 2008). "Heather Locklear in Treatment for 'Anxiety and Depression'". People. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20208453,00.html. Retrieved June 24, 2008. 
  23. ↑ Phillips, Tracy (June 24, 2008). "Heather Locklear in Treatment". My TV. comcast.net. http://www.comcast.net/tv/seenontv/3576/heatherlocklearintreatment/. 
  24. ↑ Chiu, Alexis (July 23, 2008). "Heather Locklear Leaves Treatment Center". People. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20214386,00.html. Retrieved July 23, 2008. 
  25. ↑ "Heather Locklear Arrested in California". Reuters. September 19, 2008. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE48S38J20080929. 
  26. ↑ "Heather Locklear charged with DUI". ABC News. November 19, 2008. http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=6272693&page=1. 
  27. ↑ "Heather Locklear Charged With DUI". Us Weekly. November 17, 2008. http://www.usmagazine.com/news/heather-locklear-charged-with-dui. 
  28. ↑ "Heather Locklear's DUI Case Dismissed". People. January 2, 2009. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20249861,00.html. 
  29. ↑ "Actress Heather Locklear arrested for hit-and-run", Daily Mail (London), April 22, 2010, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1267854/Actress-Heather-Locklear-arrested-hit-run.html, retrieved April 22, 2010 
  30. ↑ "Locklear cited for hit & run in 4 a.m. crash", San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press, April 22, 2010, http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/04/22/entertainment-us-people-heather-locklear_7537901.html, retrieved April 22, 2010 
  31. ↑ "District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that no charges will be filed", Ventura County District Attorney website, News Releases, May 26, 2010, http://da.countyofventura.org/10-040.htm, retrieved May 26, 2010 
  32. ↑ "DA won't charge Locklear in T.O. hit-and-run", Ventura County Star, May 26, 2010, http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/may/26/DA-wont-charge-Locklear-in-T-O-hit-and-run/, retrieved May 26, 2010 

External links