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Entertainment • Actor

Heather Locklear

Heather Deen Locklear is an American actress best known for her television roles as Sammy Jo Carrington on *Dynasty* and Amanda Woodward on *Melrose Place*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Heather Deen Locklear is an American actress best known for her television roles as Sammy Jo Carrington on *Dynasty* and Amanda Woodward on *Melrose Place*. She was born on September 25, 1961, and became a prominent TV star in the 1980s and 1990s.

Early life

Heather Locklear was born in Westwood, California, in 1961. She later became an American television actress.

Career

She is best known for playing Sammy Jo Carrington on *Dynasty* and Amanda Woodward on *Melrose Place*. Her work in prime-time television made her one of the most recognisable actors of the 1980s and 1990s.

Personal life

Locklear has been married twice and has one daughter, Ava Elizabeth Sambora. Her relationships and family life have often been covered in entertainment reporting.

Public attention and later years

Media coverage has also focused on her legal troubles, substance-use issues, and later efforts to maintain a lower public profile. She continues to be identified primarily with her major television roles.

Key facts

  • Locklear first rose to prominence through television roles in Aaron Spelling productions, especially *Dynasty* and *Melrose Place*.
  • She received four consecutive Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for *Melrose Place*.
  • Her other notable TV credits include *T.J. Hooker*, *Spin City*, and *Hot in Cleveland*.
  • She was married twice, first to Tommy Lee and later to Richie Sambora.
  • Public reporting has also covered legal and substance-related struggles in later years.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Heather Locklear?
She was born on September 25, 1961, which makes her 64 years old as of 2026.
What is Heather Locklear known for?
She is best known for her television roles as Sammy Jo Carrington on *Dynasty* and Amanda Woodward on *Melrose Place*.
Is Heather Locklear married?
No. She was previously married to Tommy Lee and Richie Sambora, but both marriages ended in divorce.
What happened to Heather Locklear?
Later media coverage has focused on her legal troubles, substance-related issues, and a lower-profile public life after her peak fame. She has still made occasional public appearances and media comments.
What is Heather Locklear's net worth?
A widely cited figure in entertainment reporting is about US$6 million, but net worth estimates vary and are not always independently verifiable.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_Locklear
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, major television roles, Golden Globe nominations, spouses, and general biography.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000181/
    Supports: Birth date, place of birth, occupation, known-for credits, and marital history.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000181/bio/
    Supports: Biography details including birth information and later-life arrest reporting.
  4. TV Insider — https://www.tvinsider.com/people/heather-locklear/
    Supports: Birth date, age, spouses, and career overview.
  5. Famous Birthdays — https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/heather-locklear.html
    Supports: Known roles, marriages, child, and age.
  6. National Today — https://www.nationaltoday.com/birthday/heather-locklear/
    Supports: Age, birth date, career overview, and net worth estimate.