 |
| Heather Locklear at the ‘Too Close to Home’ TV series premiere Shutterstock |
Heather Locklear emerged in the early 1980s as the quintessential blonde bombshell, captivating audiences both on and off-screen. She first gained fame as Officer Stacy Sheridan on the TV show T.J. Hooker, but her marriage to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee in 1986 thrust her further into the public eye. Her connection to the rock world only amplified her cool factor — a status immortalized by Wayne and Garth in Wayne’s World, where she topped their list of "babes." Locklear even made a cameo as herself in Wayne's World 2 in 1993.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Locklear became a mainstay on television, starring in hit series such as Melrose Place, Spin City, and Hot in Cleveland. She also appeared in movies like Uptown Girls and The Perfect Man. “I’ve always loved being on TV. I loved being in a series,” she shared with PopEntertainment.com in 2013 as she joined the cast of Franklin & Bash. “I love having a regular place to go to all the time.”
While her on-screen presence has waned in recent years, Locklear remains a beloved figure to her fans, forever remembered as Amanda Woodward, Sammy Jo Dean, or Officer Stacy.
 |
| Tommy Lee and Heather Locklear Mediapunch/Shutterstock |
A Timeline of Heather Locklear's Highs and Lows:
1982
Locklear joined the cast of T.J. Hooker in its second season as Officer Stacy Sheridan, playing a police officer in a fictional California city. The show, featuring William Shatner in the lead role, aired for five seasons until 1986. Simultaneously, she appeared on the primetime soap Dynasty as Sammy Jo Carrington.
1986
At 24, Locklear married Tommy Lee, then 23, after a whirlwind romance that began at an REO Speedwagon concert. Locklear proposed to Lee after just three months of dating. The couple divorced in 1993, with Lee later admitting that his infidelity was the cause of their split, stating, "F–king with porno stars ruined my marriage."
1993
Locklear landed the iconic role of Amanda Woodward, a ruthless ad executive, on Melrose Place. Her performance earned her four consecutive Golden Globe nominations, and Amanda Woodward was named one of "The Biggest TV Bitches" by TV Guide. Locklear described her character as “a good TV bitch” who was “just trying to be strong and do what you are supposed to do.”
 |
| Heather Locklear in ‘Melrose Place’ Darren Star Prods/Fox Tv/Spelling Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock |
1994
After finalizing her divorce from Lee, Locklear married Richie Sambora, guitarist for Bon Jovi. The couple had a daughter, Ava, in 1997. Although Locklear and Sambora divorced in 2007, they have remained amicable co-parents. "We’re better friends now than ever," Sambora told People in 2020, adding that Locklear was "still hot."
Rumors later surfaced that Sambora was involved with Locklear’s friend Denise Richards. Richards denied any overlap between the two relationships, stating in 2008 that she and Locklear were not friends when she began dating Sambora.
1999
After Melrose Place ended, Locklear transitioned to her next significant role on ABC’s Spin City, where she played Caitlin Moore, a campaign manager.
 |
| Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora at the world premiere of ‘The Perfect Man’ Alex Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock |
2007
Following her divorce from Sambora, Locklear began dating her former Melrose Place co-star Jack Wagner. They announced their engagement in August 2011 but ended their relationship three months later.
2008
In March, a call from someone claiming to be Locklear's doctor prompted paramedics to respond to her home, fearing an overdose. Though Locklear’s representative later called it a false alarm, she checked into a treatment center in June for anxiety and depression. Later that year, she was arrested on suspicion of DUI, pleaded no contest to reckless driving, and was sentenced to informal probation.
2009
Locklear reprised her role as Amanda Woodward in the Melrose Place reboot, which featured Katie Cassidy in a clearly Amanda-inspired role.
 |
| Ava Sambora and Heather Locklear Rachpoot/Gigi/MEGA |
2011
Locklear faced a hit-and-run charge after a witness reported her erratic behavior in a parking lot. She was released on bail and never prosecuted.
2012
Locklear was hospitalized in January after her sister called 9-1-1, fearing for her safety due to a potential mix of alcohol and prescription drugs. She was later reported to be in stable condition.
2018
Locklear was arrested twice: first in February for domestic violence and battery against a police officer, and again in June on two misdemeanor counts of battery following a domestic disturbance. Shortly after her release, she was hospitalized for a suspected overdose. She pleaded no contest to all charges in August and was ordered to complete a 30-day stay in a mental health facility.
2020
Locklear became engaged to Chris Heisser, her former high school sweetheart, in April. “Heather and Chris are in a really good place right now,” a source told Us Weekly in 2021. That same month, Locklear celebrated one year of sobriety.
2023
In June, concerns were raised when Locklear was photographed walking along the edge of a building in Malibu. A source later revealed that she was "struggling" with her sobriety and had considered returning to rehab, noting that "she may never have quit drinking after a judge ordered unsupervised probation in 2019."
Heather Locklear's story is one of resilience and reinvention, with many highs and lows along the way.
Post a Comment