Heather Locklear Was Never The Same After Her Divorce From Richie Sambora – Here’s Why
Heather Locklear stormed onto the scene in the early 1980s and continued her reign on television throughout the '90s and early aughts. The blonde pin-up embraced the rock and roll lifestyle by bedding and wedding two famous rock stars before her life took a dark turn involving multiple arrests and hospitalizations. Check out the ups and downs of Locklear's life.
She Didn't Make Her High School Cheerleading Team
It may seem hard to believe, but Locklear wasn't deemed good enough for her high school cheerleading squad. Instead, she decided to join the drama club and was instantly hooked on acting. After graduating, she attended UCLA and started modeling. Her earliest roles were guest appearances on shows such as CHiPs and Eight is Enough.
Her first big role was playing Sammy Jo Dean on the second season of Aaron Spelling's popular prime-time soap Dynasty. She was a full-time cast member by the time it was canceled in 1989. Spelling then cast her as Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place.
She Went on a Date With Tom Cruise but Was Turned off by His Dancing
Locklear's career breakthrough was playing police officer Stacy Sheridan on T.J. Hooker in the early '80s. Around that time, she also started hanging out with some of Hollywood's hottest young stars, including Tom Cruise. The pair met on an audition, and she went out with him in Los Angeles because he didn't know anyone in the city.
They went dancing on their date, but Locklear was unimpressed by his moves. She later recalled during an interview: "You know in Risky Business where he does that dance in his underwear? We were dancing in a club and he went into that." She said it was weird so she just sat down.
She Won a Razzie Award for Worst Actress In The Return of the Swamp Thing
One of Locklear's earlier films was the superhero flick The Return of the Swamp Thing, which was based on a DC Comics character. The 1989 sequel to 1982's Swamp Thing was overwhelmingly panned by critics. Locklear played Abigail Arcane, whose evil stepfather used her in genetic experiments until the Swamp Thing rescued her.
For Locklear, it wasn't the best career move. She was given a Razzie Award for Worst Actress. The Golden Raspberry Awards take place one day before the Academy Awards, which recognize the best in film. The name raspberry is a tongue in cheek phrase, as in the term "blowing a raspberry."
She Turned Down a Potential Oscar-Winning Role
In the late '80s, Locklear was a famous actress. By then she had appeared in several TV shows and was quite popular among her fans. Yet, when she was offered a more serious role, she turned it down. She decided not to play Sarah Tobias in 1988 film The Accused. Jodie Foster ended up playing the role and it resulted in her first Academy Award.
It's unclear whether Locklear would have received an Oscar for the film, but she has received six Golden Globe nominations for a couple of her TV shows — two for Spin City and four for Melrose Place.
She and John Stamos Were Nearly an Item
John Stamos was a pretty big star in the '80s, playing Uncle Jesse on Full House. So it seems right that he would connect with Locklear, a pin-up in her own right. The pair nearly got together early in their careers, but it didn't work out exactly as he had planned. Stamos later recalled that Locklear tried to seduce him.
"I met her one time and we got really drunk, but I was a kid and she was getting me plastered," he explained. She invited him up to her room, but instead, he woke up with vomit all over the place. "I was in my own room - I just missed the whole thing!"he said.
When Melrose Place Ended, Locklear Was Confident She'd Still Succeed
Locklear is most known for playing the ambitious Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place from 1992 until 1999. It can be hard to move on from a character that is so ingrained in people's minds, but Locklear was confident she'd continue to find work and other roles to play.
"Things change from one day to the next," she told Redbook in 1999. "I'm very lucky. The good that I've had so far outweighs the bad. I know that it could go away tomorrow, so I appreciate it. But I keep in mind that if it all goes away tomorrow, I may have another chance."
She Married and Divorced Tommy Lee but Wasn't Bitter 30 Years Later
In 1986, Locklear tied the knot with Motley Crue star Tommy Lee in a fancy wedding at the Marriott Santa Barbara Biltmore in California. The pair stayed together for seven years before divorcing in 1993. On what would have been their 30th wedding anniversary, Locklear sent well wishes to her ex-husband on social media.
In May 2016, the actress posted a black and white photo of the newlyweds posing next to Lee's bandmates, Nikki Sixx and Vince Neil, on Instagram.
Shortly After Divorcing Lee She Married Richie Sambora
Locklear didn't spend much time as a single woman after divorcing Tommy Lee. One year later, she married Bon Jovi rocker Richie Sambora. The pair tied the knot on December 17, 1994. They welcomed their only daughter, Ava Elizabeth Sambora, on October 4, 1997. The couple made a go of it for 12 years but finalized their divorce in April 2007.
Shortly following her second divorce, Locklear started dating actor Jack Wagner. The two were costars and love interests on Melrose Place. In August 2011 the couple got engaged, but they broke off their engagement just a few months later.
She Was Heartbroken When Her Ex-Husband Dated Her Good Friend Denise Richards
Following their divorce, Locklear and Sambora kept it civil while co-parenting their daughter Ava. The former couple's relationship evolved into friendship, but things turned sour after Sambora started dating Locklear's friend Denise Richards. Richards divorced Charlie Sheen, Locklear's Spin City costar when Sambora and Locklear split up.
"I wish Heather well," Richards told People in 2006, claiming that she and Sambora didn't hook up until he was single. "Unfortunately our friendship had to dissolve and I'm sad about that. The last thing I would want to do is create a media frenzy like this, especially as I'm trying to get through a divorce."
She Gave an Impressive Performance In Spin City
After Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's, Locklear joined the cast of the sitcom Spin City to soften the actor's workload. The decision was a good one. The addition of Locklear resulted in higher ratings. She joined the series in 1999 and played Caitlin Moore, Mayor Winston's campaign manager.
When Fox left the show due to his health, Locklear carried on with Charlie Sheen, who starred alongside her during the show's final two seasons. Locklear found little success with her next TV projects, an airport drama called LAX and a 2009 revival of Melrose Place.
She Is Worth an Estimated $25 Million
Locklear has had an impressive television career and is certainly earning residuals from her various TV projects. Plus, let's not forget that she's been married twice and probably received hefty settlements from her rocker ex-husbands. Allegedly Locklear has an estimated net worth of $25 million.
Over the years, Locklear has appeared in several commercials and represented companies such as L'Oreal. She most recently played First Lady Katelynn Christian in Tyler Perry's Too Close To Home about a young lady who must go back to her humble beginnings after her political career is thwarted by a sex scandal.
Her Daughter Ava Is Following In Her Mother's Footsteps
Ava Sambora is a blonde beauty just like her famous mom. Unlike Locklear, she made the high school cheerleading squad and was a flier because she loved the adrenaline rush of being thrown in the air. She's also an aspiring model who has appeared in campaigns for 138 Water and Baes and Bikinis.
Ava visited her mother's film sets as a child and caught the acting bug. She played a minor role in 2012 Judd Apatow movie This Is 40. She also appeared in an episode of Futuredrama. Ava is also a smart cookie, having received 11 scholarship offers from various schools.
Locklear Sought Inpatient Treatment for Anxiety and Depression In 2008
In March 2008, Locklear's psychiatrist was so concerned about the actress that he called 911, thinking she may have overdosed on prescription medication. That was not the case, but something was amiss with the star. Sure enough, three months later she was admitted into an Arizona treatment center for anxiety and depression.
"She requested an in-depth evaluation of her medication and entered into a medical facility for proper diagnosis and treatment," the star's rep explained. Locklear spent a week in rehab and appeared to be doing well. Her biggest concern was getting back to parenting her 10-year-old daughter Ava.
Locklear's troubles weren't over just yet.
Two Months Later She Was Arrested for DUI
Despite spending a month at a treatment center, Locklear was still struggling with some personal issues. In September 2008, a bystander called authorities after noticing a woman driving erratically in a parking lot and on the road. Locklear was arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of prescription medication.
The actress pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless driving in January 2009. Fortunately, she wasn't charged with a more serious offense. She was fined $700 and sentenced to three years of probation. Locklear was also ordered to participate in a 12-hour drug education program.
A Few Years Later She Was Arrested Again and Involved In a Domestic Dispute
Locklear was arrested but never prosecuted for hitting a parking sign with her car in 2011. That same year, she was involved in a domestic dispute with her former fiance Jack Wagner. In December, police were called to Wagner's home, but neither one of them were arrested or charged. The following month, Locklear was hospitalized after her sister called 911, fearing she would harm herself.
Locklear's family made it a point to let the media know Locklear was not suicidal. Instead, it was reported she took prescription medication while drinking alcohol, which concerned her sister. The hospitalization was short lived.
In 2018, She Battered Her Boyfriend and a Police Officer
In February 2018, Locklear was dating her high school sweetheart, Chris Heisser, when police responded to a call in Thousand Oaks, California. She was charged with felony domestic violence and three counts of misdemeanor battery on a police officer.
"She was uncooperative with deputies and battered our deputies," a Ventura County Sheriff's Office spokesperson told E! News. "We conducted an investigation into the original call of the domestic disturbance and determined she had battered her boyfriend...She claimed prior to our arrival that she had been battered or injured. Although we did not see any evidence of that, out of an abundance of caution, she was transported to a hospital for evaluation."
She Returned to Rehab and Gave Up Her Firearm
In March 2018, Locklear returned to rehab for addiction, a friend told People magazine. “Everyone hopes she gets well, that she gets better," the source said. “Addiction is obviously a strong disease and as much as friends and family who love her and want her to get better and be happy, no one can do the work for her."
That same month, domestic violence charges against the actress were dropped, but she still had to deal with four counts of battery on a police officer. She was banned from owning a firearm and later pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor battery on a police officer and resisting or obstructing a police officer.
Months Later a 'Heavily Intoxicated' Locklear Was Arrested Again, Admitted to a Facility
In June 2018, police were called to Locklear's home, finding the star "agitated and violent." She also threatened to harm herself. They transported her to a hospital for a psychological evaluation. One week later, a family member called the police and when they responded to the disturbance call they found a "heavily intoxicated" Locklear.
The actress was arrested for attacking a police officer and an EMT. Within hours of her release, she was hospitalized for a possible overdose. In July, she made an effort to seek long-term treatment for substance abuse and mental health. In November, her therapist sent her to the hospital again, fearing she was having a mental breakdown.
Her Therapist Extended Her Involuntary Psychiatric Hold
In September 2018, Locklear, who was in treatment, returned to social media. After a friend died of addiction, she posted on Instagram: “Addiction is ferocious and will try to take you down,” she wrote. “Recovery is the best revenge. Be kind to everyone you meet, your light just might change their path. Rest in peace beautiful Josh. You touched my [heart].”
At the end of November, her psychiatric involuntary hold was extended two weeks. An attorney and doctor are reportedly going to court to ask for a conservatorship and assign a guardian, who will take care of her needs.
Her Ex-Boyfriend David Spade, Whom She Dated Briefly, Supports Her Recovery
Locklear dated actor David Spade for a short time in 2006. While their romantic relationship didn't last very long, the pair remained friends. After she was hospitalized for a possible overdose, Spade expressed his empathy for her and her condition. They met when he was a writer on SNL and she was hosting the show.
“I mean, I love her,” he told People in July 2018. “She was nice to go out with me, and I will always be indebted to her because she was so nice, so fun. And no apologies. [She] went out with me, didn’t care, even though I’m sure she took some grief.”
