Heather Locklear Net Worth

What Is Heather Locklear's Net Worth and Salary?

Heather Locklear is an American actress who has a net worth of $6 million.

Heather Locklear first gained attention with a recurring role on the police drama "CHiPs" before being cast by producer Aaron Spelling in the hit series "Dynasty." Joining the show in 1981 as the scheming Sammy Jo Carrington, Locklear quickly became a fan favorite, bringing a mix of glamour and intrigue to the prime-time soap. Her partnership with Spelling continued when she was cast in "T.J. Hooker," where she played Officer Stacy Sheridan opposite William Shatner.

Locklear's career reached new heights in the 1990s when she took on the role of Amanda Woodward in the primetime drama "Melrose Place." Initially brought in to boost ratings, her sharp, manipulative character soon became the heart of the show, making her one of the era's defining TV stars.

Beyond these major roles, she appeared in a wide range of projects, from the sitcom "Spin City," which earned her Golden Globe nominations, to guest appearances on shows like "Scrubs" and "Two and a Half Men." With a career spanning over four decades, Locklear remains celebrated for her enduring presence on American television.

(Photo by Tommaso Boddi/WireImage)

Early Life

Heather Deen Locklear was born on September 25, 1961, in Los Angeles, California. She was raised in the Los Angeles area by her parents, Diane, who worked as a production executive, and Bill Locklear, who was an administrator at UCLA. Locklear attended Newbury Park High School and later enrolled at UCLA, where she began modeling and appearing in commercials.

Her early exposure to the entertainment industry helped her move into television while still a young adult. After small roles on series such as "CHiPs" and "Eight Is Enough," she caught the attention of television producer Aaron Spelling, who became one of the most important figures in her career.

Breakthrough With "Dynasty" and "T.J. Hooker"

Locklear's first major role came in 1981 when she was cast as Sammy Jo Dean Carrington on "Dynasty." The primetime soap opera became one of the biggest shows of the decade, and Locklear's character, a scheming and glamorous young woman connected to the wealthy Carrington family, fit perfectly into the show's world of money, scandal, and betrayal.

At the same time, Locklear joined the police drama "T.J. Hooker," playing Officer Stacy Sheridan opposite William Shatner. Appearing on both shows during the same general period gave her major exposure and made her one of television's most visible young actresses. "Dynasty" gave her the soap-opera glamour, while "T.J. Hooker" gave her a weekly network action-drama platform.

Throughout the 1980s, Locklear became closely associated with Aaron Spelling productions. Spelling had a reputation for creating glossy, highly watchable television built around attractive casts and dramatic storylines, and Locklear became one of his most dependable stars.

"Melrose Place"

Locklear's defining role came in 1993 when she joined "Melrose Place" as Amanda Woodward. The show, a spin-off of "Beverly Hills, 90210," had struggled early in its run before shifting into a more outrageous, addictive primetime soap format. Locklear's arrival helped transform the series.

Amanda Woodward was ambitious, stylish, ruthless, and endlessly watchable. As an advertising executive who could destroy a rival with a glance or a perfectly timed insult, Amanda became one of the most memorable TV characters of the 1990s. Locklear was originally billed as a special guest star, but she quickly became the face of the series.

Her work on "Melrose Place" earned four Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress in a Television Series, Drama. The role also cemented Locklear's image as the queen of the glamorous TV power player. Amanda was not always likable, but she was magnetic, and Locklear gave the character enough humor and vulnerability to keep audiences invested.

"Melrose Place" ran until 1999 and remains the show most closely associated with Locklear's career. She later reprised the Amanda Woodward role in the 2009 revival of "Melrose Place."

"Spin City" and Later Television Work

After "Melrose Place," Locklear successfully shifted into comedy with "Spin City." She joined the ABC sitcom in 1999 as Caitlin Moore, a campaign manager who became a central character on the show. Her chemistry with Michael J. Fox helped the series navigate a major transition period, and she remained with the show after Fox departed and Charlie Sheen joined the cast.

Locklear earned two additional Golden Globe nominations for "Spin City," proving that she could move beyond soap-style drama and hold her own in a workplace sitcom. Her timing, confidence, and ability to play polished but slightly chaotic characters made her a natural fit for the series.

She later appeared in shows such as "Scrubs," "Boston Legal," "Two and a Half Men," "Franklin & Bash," "Hot in Cleveland," and "Fresh Off the Boat." She also starred in the drama "LAX" and the sitcom "One Around the Park," and appeared in various TV movies. While none of her later projects matched the cultural impact of "Dynasty," "Melrose Place," or "Spin City," her TV résumé remained extensive.

Film Roles

Although Locklear is primarily known for television, she has appeared in several films. Her movie credits include "Firestarter," the 1984 Stephen King adaptation starring Drew Barrymore, and the 2003 comedy "Uptown Girls," starring Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning. She also appeared in "The Perfect Man" with Hilary Duff and Chris Noth.

Locklear's film career was relatively limited compared to her television work, but that was largely because TV was where she had her biggest opportunities and greatest success. At a time when television fame was often considered separate from movie stardom, Locklear built a career that made her one of the most recognizable faces on the small screen.

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Health Issues

Back in 2008, police received an anonymous call from someone who claimed that Locklear was in the process of committing suicide. After emergency responders arrived at her home, they discovered that Heather was perfectly fine. However, authorities believed at the time that the anonymous call was from someone who was genuinely concerned.

Later in 2008, Locklear checked herself into a medical facility to deal with her mental health issues and went through a month of treatment. In 2012, Heather's sister called the cops to her home after she suspected that she was mixing prescription drugs and alcohol. Locklear was then hospitalized and released the following day. After a number of legal issues, Heather was sentenced to 30 days in a residential mental health facility.

Personal Life

Heather Locklear has had two high-profile marriages. In 1986, she married Tommy Lee, drummer for Mötley Crüe. Their marriage made them one of the most photographed celebrity couples of the late 1980s, combining television glamour with rock-star excess. They divorced in 1993.

In 1994, Locklear married Richie Sambora, the lead guitarist of Bon Jovi. Their daughter, Ava Sambora, was born in 1997. Locklear and Sambora divorced in 2007, but they remained connected through Ava. In May 2026, Locklear and Sambora reunited in Montecito, California, to walk Ava down the aisle when she married investment associate Tyler Farrar at the Rosewood Miramar. Locklear attended the wedding with her longtime partner, actor Lorenzo Lamas.

Ava has followed her own path in entertainment and education. She has worked as a model and actress, earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Loyola Marymount University, and completed a master's degree in marriage and family therapy from the University of Southern California.

Legal Issues

Heather has struggled with numerous legal issues over the course of her life. One notable incident came in 2008 when she was pulled over and booked with a DUI. Unfortunately, a reporter photographed the entire incident, and these photographs were later published by TMZ. Although authorities discovered no trace of alcohol or illegal narcotics, Heather was believed to have been under the influence of prescription drugs while driving.

In 2018, Locklear was arrested after becoming violent towards a police officer. She also threatened to shoot the police if they ever set foot in her home again. Later in 2018, Heather was arrested once again on misdemeanor battery charges.

Real Estate

Heather lives in an 8,000-square-foot, 4-acre mansion in Thousand Oaks, California, that was deeded to her by Tommy Lee after their divorce in 1993. The couple built the 6-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom house in 1990 during better times. Today, the house is estimated to be worth $5 million. After threatening to shoot police officers who came into her home, it was later discovered that her mansion was in violation of fire safety codes. Police also searched her home for firearms after this incident.

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