Melrose Place: Where Are They Now?

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When Heather Locklear began appearing as a special guest star on “Melrose Place,” she revved up the ratings and the innuendo on the show. Supershort hemlines and sassy retorts were Amanda’s staple and the short-term stay turned into a long-term gig. Since the show wrapped, Locklear has had some success in her acting career. She starred in “Spin City” for three seasons and was the headliner in the short-lived “LAX.”

Recently, Locklear made the tabloid headlines because of her love life rather than her acting. She divorced her husband, rocker Richie Sambora, in April 2007.

Today Josie Bissett is a parenting expert, author and mother of two. But, before she became the mom next door, she played Jane Andrews Mancini for the entire run of “Melrose Place,” a rare feat for the ever-evolving cast.

The apartment complex was drama-filled and Bissett’s character got no leniency. Her husband cheated on her and after their divorce, her husband had a fling with her irresponsible sister.

Kristin Davis is getting plenty of press these days because she is reprising her role as Charlotte York in “Sex and the City’s” jump from the boob tube to the big screen. Before she helped shape how single women talk about sex, Davis appeared on “Melrose Place.”

She stayed on the show only one season because producers found the audience hated her snarky character. But three years later, she landed the role that launched her career into the stratosphere.

“Melrose Place’s” resident heartthrob with a heart of gold Billy Campbell was played by Andrew Shue. Shue became a fan favorite. He left the show before its final season and since then has kept a low profile artistically.

Shue appears in the 2007 film “Gracie” as a soccer coach.

Kelly Rutherford was Megan Lewis on “Melrose Place.” After leaving the show she had a handful of reoccuring roles on several television shows and it looks as though 2007 might be her biggest year yet. Rutherford will play Lily van der Woodsen in the much hyped television show “Gossip Girl.”

Marcia Cross has hung her hat on two of television’s most infamous addresses: Melrose Place, and now the decidedly more suburban Wisteria Lane. Cross was Dr. Kimberly Shaw on “Melrose Place”, and now plays perfection embodied in housewife Bree Hodge. She hardly had a break between the two roles. She’s been busy professionally and now her personal life will be just as fun-filled, with the arrival of her fraternal twins Savannah and Eden in February.

“Melrose Place’s” Alison Parker was played by actress Courtney Thorne-Smith, and she’s been a busy girl since leaving the show. First, Thorne-Smith went to “Ally McBeal,” and then to “According to Jim.” Now she can add accomplished author to her resume, with the release of her first book, “Outside In,” in which she addresses her body image issues.

The stunning Laura Leighton, “Melrose Place’s” Sydney Andrews, married co-star and America’s favorite husband Doug Savant. Since leaving the world of prime-time soap drama, Leighton has made a name for herself on the prime-time crime drama circuit, appearing on shows like “Boston Legal,” “Law and Order: SVU” and “CSI: Miami.” She recently finished filming the horror-thriller “The Burrowers.”

His breakout role may have been as the gay character on “Melrose Place,” Matt Fielding, but Doug Savant still managed to land a wife out of the gig, actress and co-star Laura Leighton. And the role certainly didn’t hurt his career. Now Savant plays the ultimate hetero, hunky Doug Scavo– opposite Felicity Huffman– on “Desperate Housewives.”

Jack Wagner, “Melrose Place’s” Dr. Peter Burns, has kept busy, appearing as Dominick Marone on the CBS daytime drama “The Bold and The Beautiful” since 2003. Personally, he’s hit the jackpot– dating former co-star Heather Locklear.

Thomas Calabro is one of the few cast members to remain on “Melrose Place” for its duration. On the show he played the often dubious Dr. Michael Mancini. He was the character fans loved to hate. Mancini had a host of problems when it came to women. Actually, it really was just one — being faithful.

Today Calabro has placed his scheming characer aside as he has appeared in television shows like “Nip/Tuck” and “Cold Case.”

Today, actress Daphne Zuniga works for environmentally and socially friendly causes, like cleaning up toxic waste and counseling kids on the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Before she became engrossed in charities, Zuniga starred on “Melrose Place” as Jo Reynolds for four seasons. After leaving the show, she guest starred in several television series.

Rob Estes met and married his “Melrose Place” co-star Josie Bissett. Though the two are now separated, they have two children and Estes continues to act. His latest roles were in “Women’s Murder Club” and a “CSI: Miami” episode.

Grant Show was “Melrose Place’s” bad boy hottie, who always rode in on his motorcycle. His character, Jake Hanson, was a fan favorite during Grant’s years on the show. Following its end, he starred in many TV movies and appeared on such shows as “Six Feet Under,” “Strong Medicine” and “Point Pleasant.”

Grindhouse: Death Proof **** Quentin Tarantino movie review

Death Proof is Quentin Tarantino’s latest film and in one word I would call it simply spectacular. It has the look of a 1970 era film ala Starsky and Hutch. It’s sexy, thrilling, and the music soundtrack is excellent. I wont’ go into the full synopsis since I have that listed below. All I’ll say is you have to see this film. Tarantino is a great filmmaker and this is a great film.

Popular cult filmmaker Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed this high-octane thriller that stars Kurt Russell as a serial murderer who uses his revved-up car as a killing machine. After transforming his Dodge Charger into an indestructible weapon, Stuntman Mike climbs behind the wheel to terrorize a group of women on the road. Rose McGowan, Rosario Dawson, Jordan Ladd and Vanessa Ferlito also star in the ultimate road rage film.

 

Sameritech’s 4 star guide:

**** Loved it
*** Really liked it
** Average, but watchable
* Didn’t like it, wasted my time, would rather have watched a George Bush speech