Heather Locklear has long been one of Hollywood’s most recognizable television stars, with her bright blue eyes, blonde hair, and unmistakable screen presence helping make her an icon of the 1980s and 1990s.
From “Dynasty” to “Melrose Place,” she built an enormously successful career, earned millions, and became one of the most familiar faces on American television. Yet behind the glamorous image was a private life filled with painful losses, complicated romances, highly publicized divorces, and later personal struggles that often became tabloid headlines
Hollywood has always had a reputation for lifting stars to extraordinary heights before suddenly turning its attention elsewhere, and Locklear has experienced both sides of that reality.
In more recent years, much of the media coverage surrounding her has focused on reports involving alcohol, medication, legal trouble, and concerns about her well-being. But the difficult chapters in Locklear’s life began long before those stories appeared.
Despite eventually becoming known as one of Hollywood’s great beauties, she once described herself as a shy girl with “bony elbows, acne, and braces.”
She wanted to become a cheerleader while attending high school, but she was reportedly considered too thin and physically weak.
It was quite different from the glamorous image millions would later associate with her.
At home, however, Locklear has spoken positively about her upbringing. She described her childhood as loving and has frequently praised the relationship between her parents.
Her mother worked as a production executive, while her father had served as a Marine Corps colonel.
“My father was a Marine colonel, very loving, but there’d be a look in his eyes when he was displeased,” Heather once told The New York Times.
Yet her teenage years were also touched by devastating family tragedy.
When Locklear was 16, her uncle died by suicide. Years later, in 1986, her 27-year-old cousin also took his own life.
The deaths deeply affected the family, and Locklear reportedly remained uncomfortable discussing the painful events even many years later.
None of that private heartbreak was visible to the millions of television viewers watching her rise to fame.
To much of the public, Locklear appeared to be the quintessential all-American television star — beautiful, successful, polished, and perhaps even surprisingly conventional considering the Hollywood world around her.
Her romantic life, however, would soon become considerably more colorful.
After becoming a major television star through “Dynasty,” Locklear found herself surrounded by actors, musicians, and some of Hollywood’s biggest emerging names.
One of those men was Tom Cruise.
Locklear later recalled spending an evening with Cruise after the two met through an audition during the early 1980s.
She didn’t exactly describe it as a serious romance. At the time, Cruise was still establishing himself in Hollywood and reportedly did not have many friends in the entertainment industry.
During their evening together, he apparently showed off some of the dance moves that would later become associated with “Risky Business.”
Locklear admitted she wasn’t quite sure how to respond.
“You just kind of stand there and don’t know what to do,” she recalled, adding, “Do you dance around him?”
Apparently not.
The evening did not lead to a lasting romance, and the pair did not continue dating.
Another familiar television heartthrob soon entered Locklear’s life.
Scott Baio became enormously popular during the 1980s, and Locklear was one of the women who caught his attention.
The two met in 1983 while appearing on “Battle of the Network Stars.”
Baio later admitted just how strongly he had felt about her.
“Heather Locklear was the first girl I was ever in love with,” he told People. “She is the greatest chick in the world, and I just ruined it.”
Their feelings were reportedly mutual, but the relationship eventually ended, with Baio later acknowledging his own difficulty with commitment.
Before settling down with Pam Dawber, the future “NCIS” star was considered one of Hollywood’s most desirable bachelors.
His popularity was so significant that People named him Sexiest Man Alive in 1986.
Women clearly noticed him.
“Mark’s sensitivity shows through that handsome face, and women love that,” his “St. Elsewhere” co-star Cristina Pickles told People. “I don’t think he is fully aware of his effect on women.”
Actress Donna Mills was even more direct.
“Forget Mel Gibson,” she joked. “Whenever I see Mark, I think to myself, ‘Your place or mine?’”
Locklear had noticed Harmon as well.
The two reportedly had a brief romance around 1984, although according to Harmon, it disappeared almost as quickly as it began.
“It began around Christmas [1984] but was over by New Year’s,” he recalled, describing Heather as “just an emotional cup of coffee to me.”
Locklear’s next major romance would become much more serious.
Lee’s wild rock-star reputation was almost the opposite of Locklear’s wholesome public image, and that contrast was apparently part of the attraction.
“He was a bad boy, and that image was exciting to me. Maybe it was my way of rebelling,” she later said.
The two married, beginning one of the most closely watched celebrity relationships of the era.
Despite the difficulties that developed between them, their marriage lasted for nearly eight years.
“I really loved Tommy – well, for a brief time,” Locklear later admitted. “I gave it my best.”
At the beginning, both apparently imagined they would remain together for the rest of their lives.
“I think we’ll be the coolest grandma and grandpa in the world,” Lee once told People. “We’ll be like 85 or 90; I’ll still be a rock pig, and Heather will still be gorgeous.”
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