After Years of Struggle, Heather Locklear Is Bouncing Back — See What She's Up To Now!
Heather Locklear remains one of the most recognizable names in Hollywood, decades after her star-making turn in Melrose Place. Despite a rough patch over the past few years as the 61-year-old actress publicly struggled with her mental health, substance abuse and run-ins with the law, in 2024, Heather Locklear has been fighting her way back to health and is now more vibrant than ever.
Locklear sparked concern recently when she appeared disheveled and wobbly on an outing earlier in 2023. Her seemingly erratic behavior, which involved speaking to herself while her fiancé, Chris Heisser, waited for her in the car, made fans worry she was relapsing. But apparently, Locklear had received some upsetting news.
But in contrast, just a few days later, the pair was all smiles while holding hands at the Westlake Village Farmers Market, where Locklear was seen cradling her dog and appeared in great spirits. She chatted with vendors and browsed the produce. The couple later had lunch at a Mediterranean restaurant where they casually dined for over an hour.
Here, we take a look at Locklear's rise to fame and how she's overcome challenges over the past few years to come out joyful and thriving.
Heather Locklear's TV shows
Locklear was the quintessential Southern California girl. She graduated from the University of California Los Angeles, where she began modeling and working in commercials for the school store. Early 1980s roles in CHiPs, 240-Robert and Eight is Enough caught the eye of mega producer Aaron Spelling, who took young Locklear under his wing and made her the star she is today.
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Spelling cast her in the role of Sammy Jo Dean on Dynasty in 1981, and the following year, he cast her in the cop drama T.J. Hooker as rookie Officer Stacy Sheridan alongside William Shatner. Millions of viewers tuned in each week to see sexy Sheridan fight crime. Locklear went back and forth between T.J. Hooker and Dynasty.
Melrose Place came in 1993, playing one of her best-known roles as scheming Amanda Woodward, who wowed audiences in her short skirts and formfitting suit jacket. Originally, Spelling signed Locklear for a four-episode run, but she became a full-time cast member due to her character’s overwhelming popularity.
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At the height of Melrose’s popularity, Locklear was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone in May 1994 and was named one of People’s 50 Most Beautiful People twice, first in 1994 and again in 2001.
In all, Locklear and Spelling collaborated in eight television productions: Dynasty, T.J. Hooker, Matt Houston, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Hotel, Melrose Place and the television film, Rich Men, Single Women.
Heather Locklear's troubled personal life
After Melrose Place, Locklear's personal relationships, health and legal troubles kept her in the headlines. She married Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee in 1986, and the union lasted seven years. After their divorce, she married another rocker, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora, in December 1994, in Paris. The two have a daughter, Ava, but Locklear filed for divorce from Sambora in 2006.
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Beginning with a 911 call in March 2008, when someone claimed that the actress was trying to commit suicide, which Locklear denied, she did check into an Arizona medical facility for psychological problems including anxiety and depression.
After four weeks in treatment, Locklear headed back to her Los Angeles area home, but was pulled over a few months later for driving under the influence. It was soon determined that her prescribed meds could have impaired her driving ability.
Various other emergency medical calls and approximately 20 different rehab stints were made throughout the years. Then there was the call in February 2018, where Locklear was arrested for alleged domestic violence. She was hospitalized in a suspected case of an overdose later that same year.
But over the past few years, she has turned things around and finally found true love, which has kept her on the straight and narrow. And in 2024, Locklear is doing better than ever.
Meet Heather Locklear's fiance
The former Spin City actress first met Chris Heisser when they were both students at Newbury Park High School in Los Angeles. They were high school sweethearts before graduating in 1979 and eventually going their separate ways. Reconnecting five years ago, they dated on-and-off as Locklear struggled with substance abuse and went to court-ordered rehab.
As Locklear focused on sobriety, their love blossomed and Heisser proposed around the time she celebrated being one year sober. “A wedding is so not important," Locklear told People. “We’re together, and we love each other and support each other. And really that’s all that matters. I’m like, You’re my man for the rest of my life, whether we get married or not. He just has my back, and I have his. He truly is super special to me.” It’s the happy ending Locklear's friends wished for the star.
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What is Heather Locklear doing now?
Today, Locklear is in a much better place as her professional career continues. Her last turn before the cameras was in a Lifetime movie in 2021, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story. However, as of September 2024, she has a project – Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story – in post-production.
Thriving in all aspects of life, Locklear proves that getting older doesn’t limit anyone from reaching their full potential. “I’ve always loved getting older because it means I’m alive," she told People Magazine. “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. I feel young. It’s all about perspective.”
And we can't wait to see what she's doing next.
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