Biography
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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?" She's practiced transcendental
meditation since 1991.
Her father, Jim, is a retired FBI agent and her mother,
Joan, is a noted author of children's books. Graham 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 Graham's parents were very supportive
of her budding acting career; her mother drove Graham to
her auditions. However, her 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 n--- 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 her parents still observe the
Catholic faith, Graham has publicly discussed her
conversion to a new-age eastern-based religion and
philosophy.
After high school, Graham enrolled in the University of
California at 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, Graham 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, 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, she 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 Graham 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, she 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 her-self on one episode of
the hit series s-- and the City. Graham 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, 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.
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, Graham discussed how she
liked to spend her time off.
Filmography for Heather Graham
- Emily's Reasons Why Not (2006)
- Gray Matters (2005)
- Cake (2005)
- Mary (2005)
- Scrubs (2005)
- Blessed (2004)
- Hope Springs (2003)
- Anger Management (2003)
- Alien Love Triangle (2002)
- The Guru (2002)
- Killing Me Softly (2002)
- From Hell (2001)
- Sidewalks of New York (2001)
- Say It Isn't So (2001)
- Committed (2000)
- Bowfinger (1999)
- Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
- Lost in Space (1998)
- Scream 2 (1997)
- Boogie Nights (1997)
- Two Girls and a Guy (1997)
- Nowhere (1997)
- Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story (1996)
- Swingers (1996)
- Terrified (1996)
- Kiss & Tell (1996)
- Desert Winds (1995)
- Run for Cover (1995)
- Let It Be Me (1995)
- Don't Do It (1994)
- Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994)
- Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
- Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993)
- The Ballad of Little Jo (1993)
- Diggstown (1992)
- Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
- Shout (1991)
- Guilty as Charged (1991)
- I Love You to Death (1990)
- Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
- Twins (1988)
- License to Drive (1988)
- Student Exchange (1987)
- Mrs. Soffel (1984)