Melrose Place’s VERY murky second act: Inside the tragedy and scandals that plagued the show’s stars after the cameras stopped rolling – from Heather Locklear’s torrid addiction battles to Andrew Shue’s bitter divorce from Amy Robach after her affair

Melrose Place fans across the globe are celebrating the news that a sequel series is currently in development at CBS Studios – 25 years after the beloved show came to an end – and original cast members Heather Locklear, Laura Leighton, and Daphne Zuniga are set to reprise their roles.

But the announcement raised the question: What have the stars of the Beverly Hills, 90210 spinoff series been up over the last two and a half decades?

While many of them went on to have booming acting careers, starring in a slew of other big movies and shows, others struggled, acting in a few small parts here and there before ultimately leaving the spotlight and turning to other endeavors.

Some of the Melrose Place stars went on to have wild lives plagued by controversy, multiple failed marriages, and even cheating scandals.

Most notable is Heather, who has endured an extremely public downfall fueled by substance abuse issues, which saw her arrested on numerous occasions and face 20 stints in rehab.

Others in the cast have endured heartbreaks and tragedies – like Andrew Shue, whose marriage crumbled after it was revealed that his wife, Good Morning America alum Amy Robach, had struck up an affair with her co-host TJ Holmes in an explosive report by DailyMail.com.

In addition, one of the original Melrose Place stars suffered a horrific blow when his son tragically died of an accidental drug overdose in 2022 at age 27.

Melrose Place, which premiered on Fox in 1992, was created by Darren Star and Aaron Spelling, and followed a group of young adults living in an apartment complex in West Hollywood.

The new series is being helmed by Insatiable creator Lauren Gussis, and will be set several years after the original series, which ran seven seasons before coming to an end in 1999. 

This series will pick up with a number of the original Melrose Place residents reuniting, ‘when one of their dearest friends dies suddenly.’ 

As the world gears up for the new show, FEMAIL has revealed what exactly happened to the cast of the original series – from their triumphs and careers to their personal lives and controversies. 

Heather Locklear played Amanda Woodward: Her personal life has been a rollercoaster ride filled with failed marriages, run-ins with the law, and rehab stints

Heather, now 62, was born in Los Angeles, California, on September 25, 1961. While studying at University of California, she began modeling and appearing in commercials for the school’s store. 

She then landed a series of small acting roles throughout the 1980s, including parts in Aaron’s shows Dynasty and T.J. Hooker.

The budding talent also starred in the 1984 movie Firestarter (playing Drew Barrymore‘s mom), superhero movie The Return of the Swamp Thing, and the sitcom Going Places.

She then played Amanda Woodward in Melrose Place, starring in only four episodes in the first season but was promoted to a regular in the second due to her popularity.

And that was just the beginning for Heather. She went on to act in more of Aaron’s shows, including Matt Houston, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, and Hotel, as well as the sitcom Spin City – which also starred Michael J. Fox and later Charlie Sheen – and earned her two Golden Globe nominations.

Her other acting credits include the doctor comedy show Scrubs, Uptown Girls (alongside Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning), Two and a Half Men, drama series LAX (which she also executive produced), The Perfect Man with Hilary Duff, Lifetime movie He Loves Me, Hot in Cleveland, comedy show Franklin & Bash, and TLC’s Too Close to Home.

She also reprised her role as Amanda in the 2009 reboot of Melrose Place, which was canceled after one season. 

Her last acting role was in the 2021 Lifetime movie Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story. 

Heather’s personal life has been a rollercoaster ride filled with multiple failed marriages, run-ins with the law, and rehab stints. 

She was married to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee from 1986 to 1993 before then tying the knot with Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora in 1994. 

She and Richie welcomed a daughter together, named Ava Elizabeth Sambora, in 1997 – however, they divorced in 2006.

Heather then started dating her former Melrose Place costar Jack Wagner. They announced that they were engaged in 2011, but called it off a few months later. 

She is now dating former motocross racer Chris Heisser, and they got engaged in early 2020.

In June 2008, Heather checked herself into medical facility due to anxiety and depression. She spent four weeks there before returning home. 

But her problems continued, and soon after, she was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. 

She eventually pleaded no contest to reckless driving, and was sentenced to three years probation.

In 2018, the actress was charged with one count of domestic violence and three misdemeanor counts of battery against a police officer. 

According to reports, her brother had called 911 because of a fight she was having with her boyfriend Chris, and she allegedly kicked three of the officers after they tried to enter her home. 

In the end, she pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to 30 days in a residential mental health facility. 

She reportedly got sober in 2019, but last year, a source told DailyMail.com that Heather was back on the booze after 20 stints in rehab – revealing that her family was ‘very worried’ and feeling ‘helpless.’

Laura Leighton played Sydney Andrews: She took a break from acting to become a mom but returned to the spotlight and married a Melrose Place costars

Laura was born in Iowa City, Iowa, on July 24, 1968. After graduating from high school, she joined The Young Americans choir, touring with them in 1987. 

In the early ’90s, she also appeared in various commercials for companies like Pizza Hut and Dep Hair Gel.

She then landed her first major role, which was Sydney Andrews in Melrose Place. She starred as Sydney up until season six, when the character was hit by a car and seemingly killed.

Her other big roles include CBS’ The Other Woman, Beverly Hills, 92010, romantic comedy Seven Girlfriends, horror flick The Clean and Narrow Opposite, Rob Thomas’ Cupid, The Outer Limits, and indie film The Sky Is Falling.

Laura, now 55, married her Melrose Place costar Doug Savant in 1993, and they have two kids together.

She initially took a break from acting to welcome son Jack in 2000 but returned to acting the following year, starring in a few small roles in series like Boston Legal, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, and CSI: Miami.

She also took to the big screen in the Lifetime flicks A Deadly Encounter and Love Notes, as well as The Burrowers, Pretty Little Liars (alongside Lucy Hale, Ashley Benson, and Shay Mitchell), and a series of Hallmark movies.

Laura reprised her role as Sydney in the 2009 reboot of Melrose Place. 

Daphne Zuniga played Jo Reynolds: She continued to act but switched her focus in recent years to fighting against environmental issues

Daphne, now 61, is from San Francisco, California, and was born on October 28, 1962. 

After graduating from school, the actress attended UCLA, where she studied theater arts.

Her first movie role was in the slasher The Dorm That Dripped Blood in 1982, followed by The Initiation in 1984.

Her other early roles include Vision Quest, The Sure Thing opposite John Cusack, Stone Pillow (alongside Lucille Ball), Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs, the sequel to The Fly, and the drama-comedy Staying Together.

She was then cast as Jo Reynolds in Melrose Place, which she starred in until the fifth season.

Her career skyrocketed after that, and she went on to star in the animated show My Childhood, the 1996 miniseries Pandora’s Clock, ABC Family show Beautiful People, One Tree Hill, and Hallmark’s Mail Order Bride in 2008, as well as numerous other Hallmark movies. 

She co-produced and co-directed a documentary called The Future We Will Create: Inside the World of TED, which took a deep dive into the annual Technology, Entertainment, and Design conference.

Daphne also wrote the CBS Interactive web series Novel Adventures, and directed the 2019 movie The Protégé.

Elsewhere, the star is very passionate about environmental issues and worked with the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Waterkeeper Alliance, and Environment California over the years. She recently founded the Earth Communications Office. 

She married businessman David Mleczko in 2019, after being set up on a blind date back in 2006. 

Andrew Shue played Billy Campbell: He was married to GMA star Amy Robach but their relationship was torn apart by an explosive cheating scandal

Andrew was born in Wilmington, Delaware, on February 20, 1967. The now 57-year-old actor received a B.A. in history from Dartmouth in 1989.

After graduating, he briefly taught high school math in Zimbabwe, Africa, while also playing soccer for the Bulawayo Highlanders.

His debut role was as Billy Campbell in Melrose Place in 1992, which he starred in for all seven seasons. During his time in the show, he also played soccer for Los Angeles Galaxy.

His other acting credits include The Rainmaker (alongside Matt Damon and Claire Danes) and the sports drama Gracie (which he also co-produced).

Andrew made Gracie alongside his brother, John Shue, his brother-in-law, Oscar-winner Davis Guggenheim, and his sister, Elizabeth Shue, who is also an actress and is best known for starring in The Karate Kid, Adventures in Babysitting, and the Back to the Future movies.

It was said that the movie was about Elizabeth’s childhood, and paid tribute to their eldest brother, Will, who died in an accident in 1988.

Andrew, along with childhood best friend Michael Sanchez, co-founded the nonprofit organization DoSomething, which tries to ‘motivate young people to make positive change online and offline through campaigns.’

He also started his own social network website called CafeMom in 2006, which was dedicated to helping mothers connect with one another. It was shut down in 2018 due to low funds. 

The actor was linked to his Melrose Place costar Courtney Thorne-Smith during their time in the show together. 

But, after they split, he married a floral designer named Jennifer Hageney in 1994, and together, they welcomed three sons. They divorced in 2008.

Andrew then wed Good Morning America anchor Amy in 2010. She has two daughters from a previous marriage, whom he has helped raise. 

They split in 2022 after DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that she was having an affair with her GMA3 cohost TJ.

Courtney Thorne-Smith played Alison Parker in Melrose Place: She went on to star in Ally McBeal and Two and a Half Men and became a mom at age 40

Courtney, now 56, was born in San Francisco, California, on November 8, 1967. She graduated from Tamalpais High School in 1985, and made her first on screen appearance one year later, in the feature film Lucas alongside Winona Ryder, Corey Haim, and Charlie Sheen.

In the late ’80s, she also starred in comedy flick Welcome to 18, Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise, Kirstie Alley-led movie Summer School, the ABC series Growing Pains, and Side Out – before she ultimately landed the role as Alison Parker in Melrose Place. 

Courtney starred in the series up until season six. Afterwards, she didn’t slow down, landing roles in Fox’s legal comedy show Ally McBeal, sitcom According to Jim, Two and a Half Men (she played Alan Harper’s girlfriend, Lyndsey McElroy), and the Emma Fielding Mysteries, to name a few.

She also released her own novel, called Outside In, in 2007, and briefly served as a spokeswoman for Almay cosmetics and Atkins Diet.

After dating her Melrose Place costar Andrew, she married geneticist Andrew Conrad in 2000, but they divorced one year later.

She then tied the knot with a man named Roger Fishman in 2007, who was the president of the marketing film Zizo Group. 

She welcomed a son, named Jacob Emerson Fishman, in 2008, at age 40. 

Thomas Calabro played Michael Mancini: He hasn’t acted since 2020 and now lives a quiet life as a father-of-three

Thomas Calabro was born on February 3, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Fordham University in Manhattan.

The star, now 65, started his acting career by performing in various theater roles across the city, including William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

He starred as Michael Mancini in Melrose Place for all seven of its seasons. 

Afterwards, he acted in the show Without a Trace, fantasy drama Touched by an Angel, ABC Family’s Greek, and anthology thriller film Locker 13. He also reprised his role for the 2009 reboot of Melrose Place. 

He has been married twice – first to a woman named Elizabeth Pryor from 1993 to 2006 – and he then wed Lisa Calabro in 2015. He has three kids with his former wife, Elizabeth.

Josie Bissett played Jane Mancini: She went on to have a successful modeling career and hosted her own TV series where she discussed parenting tips

Josie Bissett hails from Seattle, Washington. She was born on October 5, 1970 and is now 53 years old.

Her acting career started at age 12, when she landed a series of television commercials. She also modeled throughout her childhood.

Her first major role came in 1989, when she was cast in the horror flick Hitcher in the Dark, followed by Oliver Stone’s The Doors (in which she played the girlfriend of Door’s guitarist Robby Krieger). 

Before starring as Jane Mancini in Melrose Place, she also appeared in the sitcom The Hogan Family for two seasons.

Josie played Jane for five and a half seasons until she took some time off after suffering from a miscarriage. She then returned to the series in 1998 for its final season.

After the show came to an end, she continued to act, starring in the coming of age comedy Book of Love, the psychological thriller Mikey, and the Lifetime movie The Other Woman, and making appearances in shows like Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and ABC Family’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

She also hosted her own TV series where she discussed parenting tips. Throughout her career, she has also continued to model, appearing on the cover of magazines like TV Guide, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Shape’s Fit Pregnancy, and New Woman.

Josie was also the face of Neutrogena’s skin care line and Dr. School’s Pedicure Essentials. She wrote her own children’s book, called Tickle Monster, in 2008.

She married actor Rob Estes in 1992, who played Kyle McBride on Melrose Place. 

They welcomed two kids together, a son in 1999 and a daughter in 2002. However, they split in 2006, after 14 years of marriage.

She then married Thomas Doig in 2017. The couple currently resides in Seattle, Washington.

Doug Savant played Matt Fielding: You may recognize him from Desperate Housewives and he’s been happily married to Laura since 1998

Doug was born on June 21, 1964, in Burbank California. The now 59-year-old attended University of California.

His first acting role was in the movie Secret Admirer in 1985. He also starred in Teen Wolf that same year, followed by the horror flick Trick or Treat, the CBS series Knots Landing, and erotic thriller Masquerade.

He played Matt Fielding in Melrose Place up until the seventh season, when his character was killed off in a car accident. 

After leaving Melrose Place, he went on to act in Godzilla, The Outer Limits, crime drama Prolifer, Western drama Firefly, NYPD Blue, CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and 24 (which also starred Kiefer Sutherland).

Doug was also well known for starring as Tom Scavo in the ABC series Desperate Housewives alongside Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, his Melrose Place costar Marcia Cross, and Eva Longoria.

He married Dawn Dunkin in 1983, but they split in 1997 after welcoming two daughters together – Arianna and Madeline in 1992 and 1993.

Doug then wed his former Melrose Place star Laura in 1998. She gave birth to a son named Jack in 2000, and a daughter named Lucy in 2005. 

Grant Show played Jake Hanson: He had a booming acting career in after the show, but slowed down in recent years after becoming a dad

Grant Show, now 62, was born on February 27, 1962, in Detroit, Michigan, but he grew up in Milpitas, California. He graduated from UCLA.

He was first propelled into the spotlight when he starred in the soap opera Ryan’s Hope from 1984 to 1987, which earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Young Actor in a Daytime Drama Series.

While starring in the series, he caught the attention of Melrose Place producer Aaron, who helped him earn a brief role as Jake Hanson in the show Beverly Hills, 90210.

He then appeared as Jake once again in Melrose Place from season one to season six.

Afterwards, he appeared in the TV movies Blessed Assurance, Between Love and Honor, and Homeland Security. He appeared on Broadway in the 1999 show Wit.

He also acted in the Fox show Point Pleasant, HBO’s Six Feed Under, the FX series Dirt, CBS’ drama Swington, Private Practice from 2008 to 2009, the sitcom Accidentally on Purpose, the supernatural movie The Possession, comedy-drama Devious Maids, and CW’s Dynasty reboot, among others.

He married actress and model Pollyanna McIntosh in 2004, after they starred in a Lane Bryant campaign together one year earlier. However, they divorced in 2011.

In August 2012, he tied the knot with actress Katherine LaNasa, and they have since welcomed one daughter, named Eloise McCue Show, in 2014. 

Jack Wagner played Peter Burns: He went on to become a major musician but faced tragedy in 2022 when his son died at age 27

Jack, now 64, was born in Washington, Missouri, on October 3, 1959. He received a full scholarship from the drama department at University of Arizona.

Before he famously played Peter Burns in Melrose Place, he had a brief role in the soap opera A New Day in Eden. 

He also starred in General Hospital (which earned him a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Best Younger Actor) and Santa Barbara.

Jack joined the show as Dr. Burns in season three and stayed until the show concluded. 

Afterwards, he went on to star in Moving Target with Jason Bateman, Lady Killer (alongside Judith Light), TV movie Frequent Flyer, NBC’s Titans, the daytime soap opera Sunset Beach, The Bold and the Beautiful from 2003 to 2012 (which garnered him his second Daytime Emmy nomination), When Calls the Heart, and the Wedding March movies. 

He also returned to General Hospital many times throughout its years on the air, and appeared in various Hallmark movies.

Most recently, he acted in the 2022 Christmas flick Falling for Christmas alongside Lindsay Lohan. 

In 2006, he made headlines when he won $142,550 in the game show Wheel of Fortune. 

He also competed on season 14 of Dancing With the Stars, where he came in 11th place.

On top of all that, the former Melrose Place star also launched a major singing career, releasing six studio albums over the years – and earning the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with his song All I Need. 

He was also on Broadway, starring in Jekyll & Hyde, and performed on the national theater tour as Tony in West Side Story throughout 1987. 

In addition, Jack is an avid golfer and won the American Century Celebrity Golf Classic twice. 

He was married to his General Hospital costar Kristina Wagner from 1993 until 2006, and together, they welcomed two sons. 

Jack also fathered a daughter, named Kerry, with a woman whose identity was not revealed. He didn’t know about his daughter until 2011 because she had been put up for adoption without his knowledge.

He faced tragedy in 2022 when one of his sons died suddenly at age 27 from an accidental drug overdose. Fentanyl and Xanax were found in his system.