Heather Deen Locklear made an unforgettable entrance onto American television in the early 1980s, quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces. Born on September 25, 1961, in Los Angeles, she first caught audiences’ eyes with her role as Sammy Jo Dean on “Dynasty,” bringing a blend of glamour, charm, and skill that set her apart. But it was her turn as Amanda Woodward on “Melrose Place” that defined her career – those powerful business suits, razor-sharp quips, and iconic 90s style secured her legacy as a genuine television star.
Locklear’s path through the entertainment world has been anything but predictable. She soared with hit after hit, then retreated from the limelight during quieter periods. Yet through it all, she’s remained an enduring fixture in pop culture. Anyone who watched TV in the 80s or 90s remembers her charismatic, sometimes devious characters – who always managed to stay likable, no matter what trouble they stirred up.
Locklear’s personal life has often fueled headlines as much as her performances. These days, she’s single, having previously been engaged to her high school sweetheart Chris Heisser. They reconnected as adults, but ultimately ended their engagement in 2021 after a tumultuous on-and-off relationship. Their story was marked by shared history and tested by Locklear’s own struggles with mental health and recovery – a journey she’s been admirably candid about.
Romance has been a recurring theme for Locklear, who seemed naturally drawn to others in the spotlight. Her marriages to rock stars – first to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, then to Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora – were classic Hollywood pairings, both intensely public and ultimately, both ending in divorce. She shares a daughter, Ava, with Sambora, and their co-parenting relationship has kept them connected over the years.
After her second divorce, Locklear found love with another familiar face, “Melrose Place” co-star Jack Wagner. Their engagement in 2011 was closely followed by the press, but like her earlier relationships, it was brief. In the years that followed, she was linked to a few others, including plastic surgeon Marc Mani, but eventually landed back in familiar territory with Heisser.
Through it all, Locklear’s approached her personal life with a mix of openness and guardedness. Despite constant tabloid intrigue – rumored romances with everyone from Tom Cruise to David Spade – she’s mostly kept the details to herself. In a rare 2007 interview, she reflected on heartbreak: “When a relationship ends, I’ve learned to focus on what’s ahead rather than dwelling on the past. It’s the only way forward.” The wisdom she’s picked up along the way is evident in how she’s handled both triumph and turmoil.
Lately, Locklear’s taken a step back from the relentless pace of Hollywood, picking her projects carefully and spending more time focusing on her health and her relationship with Ava. Her decision to reclaim some privacy feels hard-won after decades in the camera’s glare.
Past Relationships
Chris Heisser
Marc Mani
Larry Porush
Jack Wagner
David Spade
Johnathon Schaech
Richie Sambora
Tommy Lee
Mark Harmon
Christopher Atkins
Scott Baio
Tom Cruise
Andrew Stevens
Fans who watched her light up the screen remember her not just for her beauty and talent, but also for her resilience and candor. Heather Locklear’s story, with all its peaks and pitfalls, reminds us that celebrity life isn’t all glitz – sometimes, it’s about grit, reinvention, and, above all, moving forward.