Heather Locklear

Heather Locklear has been a part of a number of high-profile TV series like Dynasty and Melrose Place, the movie Firestarter (getting a remake) and The Perfect Man. But she may be better known for her high-profile marriages to Tommy Lee and Richie Sambora.

Her acting career has slowed down in recent years and there’s some chance she looks very different than how she appeared in days of stardom.

HEATHER LOCKLEAR NOW LOOKS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

Fans were caught by surprise recently when a photo of Heather Locklear leaving a local store made its way around the internet. The 61-year-old Locklear was carrying her dog and really didn’t look at all like the actress who came up in the 1980s and 1990s.

It had fans questions the actress’s health in that one really wouldn’t have known it was her without some real coaching. There have been allegations in the past for Locklear concerning some of her off-camera behavior and has been on record as working towards sobriety.

HEATHER LOCKLEAR APPEARED ON CHIPS AND EIGHT IS ENOUGH

Heather Locklear came out of UCLA guns a blazin. She knew being an actress was her future, so she made it her present in the early ‘80s with small roles on TV series such as CHiPS, 240-Robert, and Eight is Enough. Locklear also was part of two movies made for television, The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies and Twirl, before she met the man who would make her career.

AARON SPELLING CASTS HER ON DYNASTY

Even though her resume was not impressive early on, Heather Locklear caught the eye of mega-producer Aaron Spelling. He liked what he saw so he invited her to join the long-running hit series Dynasty during the show’s second season.

At first, her role was recurring as Sammy Jo, the conniving niece of Krystle Carrington (Linda Evans). Her character was very well hated for her machinations. Greed is her motivating factor as she beds Blake (John Forsythe’s) gay son, Steven, resulting in her pregnancy and claim on some of the Carrington money.

Dynasty was not the only Aaron Spelling production Heather Locklear was involved in. During her first few years on Dynasty, she also appeared in the long-running William Shatner-led series T.J. Hooker. She appeared in nearly every episode as a series regular and when the series ended after five seasons, she was elevated to a series regular on Dynasty.

Heather Locklear would return to her Dynasty roots one more time on the TV mini-series, Dynasty: The Reunion, a 1991 two-parter that cleaned up the cliffhangers when the series ended in 1989.

HEATHER LOCKLEAR LANDS ON MELROSE PLACE

Heather Locklear’s long-standing relationship with producer Spelling continued after both Dynasty and T.J. Hooker ended. In 1993, Locklear took on what may be her best-known role as Amanda Woodward in another of Spelling’s long-running hit series, Melrose Place.

Melrose Place lasted seven seasons and it was the epitome of nighttime soap operas, filled with sex, backstabbing, and schlocky storylines. Locklear’s presence was at first to be a rating booster, which was accomplished, but her character was so disliked that she was kept on as a series regular, though her billing was always that of a “special guest star.”

Her time on Melrose Place was marked by Locklear receiving four consecutive Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress – Television Series Drama.

During her association with Spelling, Heather Locklear has appeared in a total of eight Spelling-produced projects. Dynasty, T. J. Hooker, Matt Houston, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Hotel, Melrose Place, and even a TV movie titled Rich Men, Single Women.

HEATHER LOCKLEAR WORKED WITH CHARLIE SHEEN ON SPIN CITY AND TWO AND A HALF MEN

Nighttime soap operas were not the only thing in Heather Locklear’s wheelhouse. She also had a penchant for comedy and did quite well on a few notable TV sitcoms. Going Places was her first jump into the TV sitcom landscape, but that series lasted but one season.

As Melrose Place took up much of her time, Locklear wouldn’t try her hand at sitcoms again until 1999 when she joined the Michael J. Fox series Spin City. She played opposite Fox until he left the series for medical reasons, then she played counter to Charlie Sheen, who took over for Fox. Her role won her two more Golden Globe nominations, this time for Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy.

With comedy being her new calling, Heather Locklear joined the sitcom Scrubs on a recurring role. She also appeared on Two and a Half Men, Rules of Engagement, and Hot In Cleveland.

SHE RETURNED TO MELROSE PLACE

Heather Locklear would return to the world of Melrose Place one more time. The new series was to introduce a younger generation of stars and Locklear was there to mentor them.

Unfortunately for those involved, which included original series regulars such as Locklear, Thomas Calabro, Josie Bissett, Laura Leighton, and Daphne Zuniga, fans didn’t accept the new generation, and The CW series was cancelled after one season.

HEATHER LOCKLEAR WAS IN THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING

With all her success on the small screen, it was only a matter of time before Heather Locklear would also give feature films a go. Her first role was a small part as Drew Barrymore’s mother in the 1984 movie, Stephen King’s Firestarter. Locklear wouldn’t hit the feature film circuit again until the 1989 campy film, The Return of Swamp Thing.

Throughout her career, though, even with all the notoriety she was gaining on TV, Locklear continued to press her luck on features, to some degree of success. She was seen in movies such as The Big Slice, Wayne’s World 2, Money Talks, Double Tap, Uptown Girls, and Game of Life. Nothing mind-blowing, but Locklear did show the ability to handle features.

SHE WAS MARRIED TO TOMMY LEE AND RICHIE SAMBORA

With everything Heather Locklear had going for her on the small screen, and to some extent on the big screen, she is probably more famous for her off-screen antics. By that, we mean her two high-profile marriages.

Her first was to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, a marriage that lasted seven years, ending in 1993. It was stormy from the start and Locklear obviously didn’t learn her lesson, as evidenced by her next relationship.

Shortly after Locklear and Lee’s marriage dissolved, she began dating Bon Jovi lead guitarist Richie Sambora. The couple moved quickly and tied the knot in December 1994. This one lasted almost 13 years before the two called it quits in 2007. During their marriage, Locklear had her only child, Ava, in 1997.

HEATHER LOCKLEAR STRUGGLED WITH SOBRIETY, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION

Heather Locklear’s personal life has also been beset with trouble. In 2008, 9-1-1 was called to Locklear’s residence on the fear that she tried to commit suicide. When emergency responders arrived, Locklear was fine, though they reported it looked like the call was genuine.

Later that same year, Locklear checked herself into a medical facility in Arizona for anxiety and depression.

After spending four weeks in the facility, Locklear found herself in more trouble when she was arrested for driving under the influence. She pleaded no-contest and the DUI charges were dropped.

2012 saw Locklear once again was in the hospital for a possible suicide attempt, though at the time her parents claimed differently.

2018 was not a good year for Locklear. Early in it, she was arrested for domestic violence on her boyfriend and also battery against a police officer. When sheriff deputies arrived at her home, she kicked three of them while also threatening to shoot them if they ever show up at her house again.

Later that summer, Locklear was arrested once again, this time on two counts of battery against first responders. When they arrived from a call that Locklear was overdosing, she greeted them by kicking them.

SHE RETURNED TO ACTING IN FRESH OFF THE BOAT AND TOO CLOSE TO HOME

Since her last run-in with the law, first responders, and such, Heather Locklear has led a thankfully quiet life. After her 2017 roles on the sitcom Fresh Off the Boat and the series Too Close to Home, it looked like Locklear’s legal troubles were keeping her away from work.

She made her return to professional acting in 2021 with the release of the Lifetime TV movie Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story. The biopic put Locklear in the titular role of a woman trying to recover and raise two children alone after the death of her husband.

HEATHER LOCKLEAR IS SOBER AND ENGAGED TO CHRIS HEISSER

Heather Locklear is on a roll. After stepping away from the cameras for a number of years, she returned last year for her first starring role in the 2021 Lifetime biopic, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story. While Locklear may not be poised to go in front of the cameras in the upcoming months, she is happy, clean, sober, and finally with the man who makes her life complete.

Not too long ago, things were not looking good for Locklear. She was involved in two separate incidents that included domestic violence, misdemeanor battery, obstructing officers, battery against an EMT, and battery against officers. It was the lowest point in a long series of personal low points for the actress.

Because of these alcohol-fueled incidents, Locklear was sentenced to 120 days in jail. However, Locklear would receive a stay if she instead chose to enter a rehab facility and complete the 30-day residential treatment program.

Locklear entered the program and while there, even shared a picture of a painting and an inspirational message from her time at the facility.

Thankfully, rehab and sobriety were finally gaining ground on Locklear and her life. Locklear now has been almost three years clean and sober and the positive effect it has made on her life is amazing. She would be the first to admit that her unhealthy lifestyle did not make it easy for her fiancé Chris Heisser.

It was a bumpy relationship that saw Heisser in and out of her life while Locklear continued to battle her demons. But Heisser’s perseverance paid off as he proposed to Locklear while they were celebrating her first year of sobriety.

What makes their story even better is the fact that Heisser was Locklear’s high school boyfriend. Both graduated from Newbury Park High School in Los Angeles in 1979.

Regardless if the couple decides to actually tie the knot or simply remain engaged, Locklear remains content. “I’m like, ‘You’re my man for the rest of my life, whether we get married or not,'” she says to PEOPLE. “[A wedding] is so not important. We’re together, and we love each other and support each other. And really that’s all that matters.”

And now that Locklear has turned 60 (soon to be 61) and remains sober, she has a new perspective on her life and it’s refreshing. “I’ve always loved getting older because it means I’m alive,” she says. “I’m so grateful. I don’t really give a hoot. I don’t give a hoot about how I look. My parents still love me. My daughter loves me.” And without a doubt, Chris Heisser loves her.