Heather Graham Biography

Heather Graham Biography

Heather Graham (born on January 29, 1970, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American film and television actress.

Biography

 

Heather Graham was brought up in a traditional Catholic family of Irish descent. She's since estranged herself from the Catholic Church she grew up in, saying it is, "made up of closed-minded men who believe a woman's s--uality is evil... Why do I have to do what all these men are saying?".  Heather's practiced transcendental meditation since 1991.

Heather Graham's father, Jim, is a retired FBI agent and her mother, Joan, is a noted author of children's books. Heather has a younger sister Aimee Graham, who is also an aspiring actress and writer. Growing up in Virginia, Heather attended North Springfield Elementary School in Springfield, Virginia. Her family then moved to the Conejo Valley in California where she attended Sumac Elementary School, Lindero Canyon Middle School, and finally, Agoura High School.

Initially, Heather's parents were very supportive of her budding acting career; her mother drove Graham to her auditions. However, Heather Graham's father and mother were adamant that she should not appear in any movie featuring s--. This may have cost her the lead role in Heathers in 1989, the dark high school comedy that made an instant star of Winona Ryder. Graham would appear fully nude in several scenes in her breakout role in Boogie Nights. Graham is currently estranged from her parents, though they are reportedly seeking a reconciliation. Though Graham's parents still observe the Catholic faith, Heather has publicly discussed her conversion to a new-age eastern-based religion and philosophy.

In 1991, Heather Graham appeared in Twin Peaks as Annie Blackburn, Agent Cooper's later love interest.

After high school, Heather Graham enrolled in the University of California, Los Angeles. While pursuing a drama degree at UCLA, Graham met James Woods. Their subsequent romantic involvement led to Graham being cast in Diggstown (1992), which starred Woods. After two years had passed, Heather dropped out of UCLA to pursue acting full time, over her parents' objections. She moved to Hollywood where she worked different jobs while continuing to establish herself as a starlet, for a time romantically involved and living with once famous New Romantic glam-rocker Adam Ant.

As a supporting actress, Heather Graham was cast in a number of parts that brought her critical notice, including Nadine in Drugstore Cowboy 1989. However, her breakthrough role was that of Roller Girl in Boogie Nights (1997), for which she received several award nominations. Her first starring role was in 1999 with her lead role as Felicity Shagwell in Mike Myers' second Austin Powers comedy: The Spy Who Shagged Me. More recently, Heather Graham starred as Mary Kelly in the film From Hell (2001), based on the story of Jack the Ripper.

Although Heather Graham has been prominently featured in mainstream films, she has also been cast in a number of independent films. Many of those films, like 2002's The Guru, have brought her critical praise.

Heather was named by People Magazine as one of the "50 Most Beautiful People in the World 2001". In addition to her relationship with James Woods, Graham also has been romantically involved with actor Edward Burns, producer-director Chris Weitz, actor Josh Lucas, actor Heath Ledger, actor Elias Koteas, actor Kyle MacLachlan, and director Stephen Hopkins.

Heather Graham also played herself on one episode of the hit series S-- and the City. Heather enjoyed special guest-star status on several episodes of NBC-TV's Scrubs during its fourth season (2004–2005), and also appeared in a small role as a teacher in an episode of Fox's Arrested Development. In 2005, Heather Graham became the spokeswoman and TV model for Garnier brand of hair care products. Graham's print ad for Skyy vodka, which was photographed in 1993 (titled "#3, Entourage") is still appearing in national magazines today as well.

Heather Graham's most recent project was starring in the ABC-TV comedy series Emily's Reasons Why Not in 2006. Despite an extensive ad campaign, ABC-TV announced that the show was canceled after its first airing on January 9, 2006. Because they print their covers weeks in advance and did not expect the quick cancellation, Life magazine did a cover story on Graham two weeks later in their January 27, 2006 issue and referred to her as "TV’s s--iest star". They conducted an interview with her before the cancellation, and, ironically, Heather Graham discussed how she liked to spend her time off.

Heather Graham'S Film List



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