Heather Locklear’s father Bill dies aged 94 as star shares moving tribute to beloved parent and ‘love of my life’

Heather Locklear announced the death of her father Bill at age 94 in a heartbreaking post on Wednesday.

The former Melrose Place actress, 62, who is returning for the iconic show’s reboot, shared a poignant snap of her beloved father who she called ‘the love of my life’ as she revealed his passing.

She wrote: ‘The most brilliant man I have ever known. The bar is oh so high. The love of my life. The few the proud. I love you dad. RIP.’

A source told People Bill had been ‘ailing for a while’ and was hospitalized in February – adding ‘Obviously it was a very stressful time for the family.’ 

The star was sent condolences by her celebrity friends with ex-husband Tommy Lee writing: ‘Gonna miss that man and his beautiful spirit! I’m sorry for you and your familys loss Heather.’

Lee’s wife Brittany Furlan penned: ‘So glad I got to meet him. Sending you all the love.’ 

The former Melrose Place actress, 62, who is returning for the iconic show’s reboo t, shared a poignant snap of her beloved father who she called ‘the love of my life’

Dawson’s Creek star Mary-Margaret Humes wrote: ‘I remember meeting him when I was with you many years ago …he was so handsome and kind … sending love to you and your family today. Godspeed sweet dad.’

Heather had a close bond with her father and in July 2019 shared a sweet video of her dad to mark his 90th birthday.

She wrote: ‘Happy 90th Birthday to my hero.’

In the clip Bill said: ‘Happy news that you have brought me today, to be part of your life, all the rest of your life. Happy 90th birthday to each of you.’

Locklear will soon reprise her role as glamorous ad executive Amanda Woodward in the Melrose Place reboot.

On top of the upcoming reboot of Melrose Place, Locklear is gearing up for a slew of exciting events ahead, including her daughter Ava’s wedding.

Asked how her only child’s wedding plans were coming along, she smiled and replied: ‘No plans yet. She’s just being engaged.’

Earlier in April it was announced that a Melrose Place sequel series is currently in development at CBS Studios, nearly 25 years after the iconic show’s finale.

Heather is pictured with her proud father at the 1995 47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

Celebrities including Heather’s ex-husband Tommy Lee sent the star  condolences 

Along with Heather, original cast members Daphne Zuniga (Jo Reynolds) and Laura Leighton (Sydney Andrews) are all expected to return, according to Deadline.

The new series will hail from Insatiable creator Lauren Gussis, and will be set several years after the original series, which ran seven seasons on Fox from 1992 to 1999.

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

Locklear was a TV staple during the 80s and 90s. She first hit it big as Sammy Jo, Blake Carrington’s daughter-in-law on Dynasty.

She then went on to play Officer Stacy Sheridan on the police drama T.J. Hooker before she landed her signature role as manipulative Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place. 

She was later brought in to the sitcom Spin City as the campaign manager for Barry Bostwick’s New York Mayor character as he decided to run for Senator. 

She was nominated for six Golden Globes – four for Melrose Place and two for Spin City – without winning any. 

Nearly 25 years after its iconic series finale, a Melrose Place sequel series is currently in development at CBS Studios, it was reported earlier in April – Heather played the glamorous Amanda Lockwood – pictured with Antonio Sabato Jr in 1999

Locklear has been engaged to former motocross racer Chris Heisser, whom she first dated in high school, since April 2020. 

The two lost contact for 40 years and Heather went on to marry rockers Tommy Lee from 1986-1993 and Richie Sambora from 1994-2007, with whom she has daughter, Ava, now 26.

Ava’s engagement to Tyler Farrar, her boyfriend of four years, was announced on social media in February.