Nicollette Sheridan gained widespread fame for her role as Paige Matheson on the hit soap opera Knots Landing and later solidified her place in television history as the cunning Edie Britt on Desperate Housewives. While her on-screen characters were full of drama, her off-screen life has been equally eventful, marked by high-profile relationships and personal challenges.
Sheridan made her debut on Knots Landing in 1986, joining the cast of the Dallas spinoff six years after its premiere. Playing the ambitious and mischievous Paige Matheson, she captivated audiences for seven years, balancing her character’s sweet and scheming sides. Reflecting on the role, Sheridan once said, “Paige is different. She’s strong, she’s ambitious, she’s bright, she’s mischievous.” Her performance earned her the 1990 Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actress and a spot on People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” list.
Before her breakout television role, Sheridan starred as John Cusack’s love interest in The Sure Thing, which paved the way for her transition to Knots Landing. Her Hollywood roots run deep; she grew up in the industry alongside her mother, actress Sally Adams, and her mother’s partner, Telly Savalas, best known as Blofeld in the James Bond franchise. Born in England, Sheridan moved to the U.S. at the age of 10 and worked diligently to perfect an American accent after being teased for her British one. “I practiced every day and pretty much mastered it,” she told the Tampa Bay Times in 1988.
Sheridan’s personal life has been as headline-worthy as her career. Her first marriage, to actor Harry Hamlin in 1991, ended after just 11 months. The split became a source of public speculation when Hamlin’s second wife, Lisa Rinna, claimed Sheridan had an affair with singer Michael Bolton. Sheridan, however, has consistently denied the allegations.
Now 57, Nicollette Sheridan remains a memorable figure in Hollywood, not just for her iconic roles but for her resilience and ability to navigate both the spotlight and the challenges that come with it. Keep reading to learn more about the life of this dynamic actress and what she’s up to today!
Nicollette Sheridan maintains that her split from her first husband, Harry Hamlin, had nothing to do with the accusations of infidelity involving Michael Bolton. However, this disagreement sparked a public feud on Twitter, with Hamlin defending his second wife, Lisa Rinna, while accusing Sheridan of being dishonest about the situation.
Regardless of the cause of her divorce, it’s well-documented that Sheridan began dating singer Michael Bolton in 1992, shortly after her split from Hamlin. The couple’s on-again, off-again relationship lasted for years—they dated for five years before parting ways, reunited in 2005, and even became engaged in 2006. However, they ultimately ended their relationship for good in 2008.
Following her breakup with Bolton, Sheridan moved on and married Aaron Phypers. Their marriage was short-lived, lasting only six months before they divorced. Interestingly, like Hamlin, Phypers later married a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star—Denise Richards, in 2018.
Around this time, Sheridan also faced challenges in her professional life. Her character, Edie Britt, on Desperate Housewives was unexpectedly written off the show, a move Sheridan attributed to her legal accusations against series creator Marc Cherry. Fans were deeply disappointed by Edie’s departure, with many claiming the show lost its spark without her. Some even stopped watching altogether after her character’s exit, further cementing Edie Britt as one of the show’s most memorable figures.
Nicollette Sheridan accused Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry of physically assaulting her, later filing a lawsuit after her character was written off the show. She also alleged that Cherry exhibited abusive and hostile behavior toward other actors and writers on the series. However, the case was ultimately dismissed in 2017.
Following this tumultuous chapter, Sheridan stepped back from the limelight, choosing to focus on smaller, more personal projects. She appeared in several Hallmark Channel films and joined the cast of the Dynasty reboot in 2017, taking on the iconic role of Alexis Carrington.
In 2019, Sheridan’s Dynasty character was written off when she made the decision to leave the series and prioritize her family. Her departure was driven by a desire to care for her terminally ill mother. “Working on the Dynasty reboot and reprising the iconic role of Alexis has been thoroughly enjoyable,” Sheridan told TV Line in 2019. “But the opportunity to spend precious time with my terminally ill mother is more important to me right now.”
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