Denise Richards

1.1. Birth and Family

Denise Lee Richards was born on February 17, 1971, in Downers Grove, Illinois, United States. Her mother, Joni (née Braden), was a coffee shop owner, and her father, Irv Richards, worked as a telephone engineer. Richards has a younger sister named Michelle. Her mother passed away from cancer in November 2007. Richards has stated that her ancestry includes German and French heritage. She spent her childhood growing up in both Downers Grove and Mokena, Illinois. As a child, she was noted for being the "only girl on the baseball team." She was raised Catholic.

1.2. Education and Early Career

When Richards was 15 years old, her family moved to Oceanside, California. She graduated from El Camino High School in 1989, where she was voted "best looking" in her high school yearbook. Following her graduation, Richards embarked on a modeling career, which involved traveling to international cities such as Paris, New York City, and Tokyo for various photo shoots and commercials. Her early modeling work included appearing in print advertisements for Bonne Bell cosmetics in 1991, gracing the cover of Teen magazine, featuring in an instructional video titled "Modeling: What It Takes," and later participating in Max Factor's Premiere 2K advertising campaign.

2.1. 1990s: Early Works and Breakthrough

Richards began her acting career in the 1990s with appearances in several films and television shows. Her early film credits include Loaded Weapon 1 (1993), Tammy and the T-Rex (1994), and Lookin' Italian (1994). On television, she made guest appearances in popular series such as Saved by the Bell, Married... with Children, and Doogie Howser, M.D.. In 1993, she portrayed Jodi Collins, the girlfriend of Ben Affleck's character, in the short-lived drama series Against the Grain. She also had guest roles in Beverly Hills, 90210 (1992), Seinfeld (1993), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1994), and a recurring role in Melrose Place (1996). In 1995, Richards appeared in the made-for-TV movie In the Blink of an Eye, alongside Veronica Hamel and Mimi Rogers.

Her first starring role in a wide theatrical release came in 1997 with the science fiction film Starship Troopers, where she played Carmen Ibañez. For this role, Richards was nominated for the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Female Newcomer. The film achieved significant commercial success, grossing a total of 121.20 M USD worldwide, and was later recognized by Slant Magazine in 2012 as number 20 on its list of the 100 Best Films of the 1990s. Following this, she took on a role in the erotic thriller Wild Things (1998), starring alongside Kevin Bacon, Matt Dillon, and Neve Campbell. Her performance in the film, which saw her transition from good-girl roles to a manipulative villainess, was praised by Variety, which noted her as part of "an ensemble that appears to be enjoying the challenge of offbeat roles and unusual material." In 2016, Glamour lauded the film's female characters, describing Richards and Neve Campbell's portrayals as "two of the most well-rounded, fascinating, and exciting characters to ever grace the screen."

In 1999, Richards was cast as the nuclear physicist Christmas Jones in the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough. Despite her own perception of the character as "brainy," "athletic," and having depth, her portrayal was met with criticism for lacking credibility in the role. Her character's attire, often consisting of a low-cut tank top and tight shorts, also drew unfavorable comments. Richards defended the outfit, stating that while many viewers "made fun of" it, "These Bond girls are so outrageous and if I did really look like a scientist, the Bond fans would have been disappointed." She received a nomination for the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favourite Actress - Action for her work in the film. Later that year, Richards starred alongside Kirsten Dunst in the beauty pageant satire Drop Dead Gorgeous, playing the role of Rebecca "Becky" Ann Leeman, a spoiled princess. The film has since garnered a cult film following, and Richards' performance was commended by the Los Angeles Times for being "as rightly nasty as she is pretty."

2.2. 2000s: Major Film and Television Roles

The 2000s saw Denise Richards continue to take on significant roles in both film and television, expanding her comedic and dramatic range. In 2001, she made a memorable guest appearance on Friends as Cassie Geller, the attractive cousin of Ross and Monica Geller, in the episode "The One with Ross and Monica's Cousin". Later that year, she appeared in four episodes of Spin City as Jennifer Duncan, a love interest for Charlie Sheen's character. She reunited with Sheen two years later, portraying his character's ex-girlfriend in two episodes of Two and a Half Men.

Richards appeared in numerous films during this period, including Valentine (2001), Good Advice (2001), Undercover Brother (2002), The Third Wheel (2002), and You Stupid Man (2002). She played Annie Logan in the horror comedy film Scary Movie 3 (2003), which was a major commercial success, grossing 220.00 M USD worldwide. The film's plot notably parodies movies such as The Ring, Signs, and The Matrix Reloaded. Richards also made a brief appearance in the British romantic comedy Love Actually (2003). In 2004, she starred in two films, Whore and Elvis Has Left the Building.

In 2005, Richards took on a lead role as publicist Jolene in the short-lived UPN soap opera Sex, Love & Secrets. The series depicted the lives of wealthy young adults residing in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, and their entanglements involving sex and love. She also featured in the ensemble drama film Edmond (2005) alongside William H. Macy and Mena Suvari. In 2008, Richards reunited with her Wild Things co-star Theresa Russell in the drama film Jolene. Her foray into reality television began with Denise Richards: It's Complicated, which premiered on E! on May 26, 2008. The series documented the daily lives of Richards, her daughters Sam and Lola, her married younger sister Michelle, and her father Irv. Entertainment Weekly reviewed the show, describing it as one of those "celebs, they're just like us!" programs where viewers are expected to enjoy watching a famous, pampered individual engage in mundane activities. The series concluded after two seasons on July 26, 2009.

Richards participated as a contestant on the 8th season of the dance competition television series Dancing with the Stars, where she was paired with Maksim Chmerkovskiy. She was the second contestant to be eliminated on March 24, 2009. Towards the end of the decade, she played Autumn Bliss in the romantic comedy film Deep in the Valley (2009), appearing alongside Kim Kardashian and Chris Pratt.

2.3. 2010s: Diverse Genre Activities

The 2010s saw Denise Richards continue to diversify her portfolio, taking on roles in sitcoms, dramas, and making a significant entry into reality television, alongside other film projects. In 2010, she joined the cast of Paramount Network's sitcom Blue Mountain State as Debra Simon. The series, which portrayed aspects of American university life including football, sex, drinking, and partying, was canceled in February 2012 after three seasons. However, it later developed a cult following, largely due to its availability on Netflix.

In July 2011, Richards published her memoir, The Real Girl Next Door, which became a New York Times Best Seller. She expressed her motivation for writing the book, telling HuffPost in 2011 that she "wanted to do something inspirational for other people going through challenging times." In September 2011, Richards reportedly declined an an offer of 100.00 K USD to appear as an ex-girlfriend at Charlie Sheen's character's funeral in Two and a Half Men. A month later, she began filming a guest spot for an episode of the sixth season of the NBC comedy series 30 Rock. Richards was also part of TV Guide Network's show, Hollywood Moms' Club, which aired in November 2011.

In 2012, Richards played Kate Needleman in the comedy film Madea's Witness Protection, which grossed 67.00 M USD at the box office. The film was shot in Atlanta in early 2012. That same year, Richards joined the cast of ABC Family's mystery-thriller television series Twisted, playing Karen Desai. In 2015, she appeared in two films, Operation: Neighborhood Watch! and Christmas Trade. In 2016, she made a guest appearance as herself in The CW's Jane the Virgin, in the episode "Chapter Fifty-One." She portrayed Kat Faust in the musical thriller film American Satan (2017), for which she was nominated for the Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film at the Northeast Film Festival. Later that year, Richards portrayed Temple Hampton in an episode of Bravo's comedy-drama series Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce.

She starred in the supernatural horror film The Toybox (2018) opposite Mischa Barton. The film centers on a family on a summer road trip in a used RV who become stranded in the desert by a supernatural force. She also portrayed Karen in the faith-based film The Prayer Box (2018), released on October 20, 2018.

In August 2018, Richards announced her decision to join the Bravo reality series The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for its ninth season, which premiered on February 12, 2019. Vanity Fair commented on her addition, noting that she "might be one of the most famous people to join the Housewives franchise, someone who was a legitimate household name before becoming a reality star." The New York Times observed that Richards "brought a refreshing and occasionally disarming dose of reality" to the series. The Daily Beast praised her portrayal, writing that "Richards's appearance on the show is the best kind of surprise, one that reveals that a celebrity is not who we may have assumed them to be. She's an extremely warm, loving parent, without a hint of narcissism or vapidity about her." Fox News hailed her as "an instant fan favorite" upon her joining the show in 2019.

In 2019, she joined the cast of CBS's soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful as Shauna Fulton. Executive producer and headwriter Bradley Bell described Shauna as "a fun-loving, hard-working single mother from Las Vegas who aspires to live life to its absolute fullest." In July 2019, Richards was announced to have joined the cast of Fox Broadcasting's comedy-drama television series BH90210 in a guest role, playing a fictionalized version of herself. She portrayed the overly-ambitious mother Candice in the Lifetime television film The Secret Lives of Cheerleaders, released on September 2, 2019. Richards explained the film's theme, telling Parade, "I think the story's about this girl that's trying to fit in and makes some bad choices and then, knowing right from wrong, decided to make a better choice." On November 4, 2019, Richards appeared as a guest model on the game show The Price Is Right. Richards also played Valerie in the Christmas film My Adventures with Santa (2019) opposite Patrick Muldoon, which was released in limited theaters on November 15, 2019.

2.4. 2020s Onwards: Recent Activities and Projects

Denise Richards continued her presence in entertainment into the 2020s, with ongoing reality television commitments and diverse film and television roles. Richards returned for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' tenth season, which premiered on April 15, 2020. However, on September 10, 2020, her representative confirmed that Richards would be leaving the series after two seasons, with a source indicating she wished to "enjoy her family more." In late 2020, Richards traveled to Spain to begin filming the adventure drama series Glow & Darkness, where she portrays the role of the Countess of Champagne.

In 2020, she appeared in five films: Money Plane, Switched, Reality Queen!, Alpha Code, and Timecrafters: The Treasure of Pirate's Cove. The heist film Money Plane was released to video-on-demand services on July 10, 2020, by Quiver Distribution. In Switched, released on September 4, 2020, Richards portrayed Victoria Sharp, the mother of a school bully. On August 28, 2021, she played Amanda in Lifetime's thriller film Killer Cheer Mom. The film follows a high school junior named Riley, who moves to a new town with her dad and stepmom, Amanda (Richards).

On November 15, 2024, Fox announced that Richards is one of fifteen contestants slated to appear in the third season of the reality quasi-military training television series Special Forces: World's Toughest Test. In March 2025, Richards is set to star in and executive produce Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, a reality television series focusing on her and her family for Bravo. The series was initially planned to launch on E!.

3.1. Major Television Series Appearances

Richards has held various significant roles in television series. Her early career included guest appearances in popular shows like Saved by the Bell, Married... with Children, Doogie Howser, M.D., Beverly Hills, 90210, Seinfeld, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and a recurring role in Melrose Place. She portrayed Jodi Collins in Against the Grain (1993).

In the 2000s, she guest-starred as Cassie Geller in Friends (2001) and had a recurring role as Jennifer Duncan in Spin City (2001). She also appeared in three episodes of Two and a Half Men (2003-2011) as Lisa, Charlie Sheen's character's ex-girlfriend. Richards took on a main role as Jolene Butler in the short-lived UPN soap opera Sex, Love & Secrets (2005).

The 2010s saw her in a main role as Debra Simon in the sitcom Blue Mountain State (2010-2011). She also had a main role as Karen Desai in the mystery-thriller series Twisted (2013-2014). Richards made guest appearances as herself in 30 Rock (2012) and Jane the Virgin (2016), and as Temple Hampton in Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce (2017). She also appeared as a fictionalized version of herself in BH90210 (2019) and as a guest model on The Price Is Right (2019). From 2019 to 2022, she had a recurring role as Shauna Fulton in the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. In the 2020s, she took on a main role as the Countess of Champagne in the adventure drama series Glow & Darkness (2021) and as Laura Lang (voice role) in The Guardians of Justice (2022). She also had a main role as Bentley in Paper Empire (2024).

3.2. Reality Television Programs

Denise Richards has significantly expanded her public persona through her extensive involvement in reality television. Her first dedicated reality series, Denise Richards: It's Complicated, aired on E! from 2008 to 2009. The show offered viewers a look into her daily life, including her interactions with her daughters, sister, and father. While it provided insight into her personal world, it also drew criticism for its portrayal of a celebrity's pampered lifestyle.

In 2009, Richards competed as a contestant on the 8th season of Dancing with the Stars, where she was partnered with professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy. She was the second contestant to be eliminated from the competition.

A major turning point in her reality TV career came in 2019 when she joined the cast of Bravo's popular ensemble show, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, for its ninth season. Her addition was widely noted by media outlets, with Vanity Fair highlighting her as one of the most famous individuals to join the franchise. Her presence was praised by The New York Times for bringing "a refreshing and occasionally disarming dose of reality" to the series, and The Daily Beast commended her as an "extremely warm, loving parent." Richards remained a main cast member for two seasons before her departure was confirmed in September 2020, with her representative stating she wished to "enjoy her family more." She later returned to the show as a guest in 2023 and 2024.

Looking ahead, Richards is set to appear as a contestant in the third season of the reality quasi-military training television series Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, scheduled for 2025. Furthermore, she will star in and executive produce a new reality series titled Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, which is slated to premiere on Bravo in March 2025, focusing on her and her family.

4.1. Business Ventures and Brand Promotions

In spring 2012, Richards launched her self-titled fragrance. In November 2019, she announced the development of a skincare line in collaboration with CBme Beauty. Throughout her career, Richards has graced the covers of numerous magazines, including Cosmopolitan (Poland, Greece, US, and Germany editions), Redbook, Details, Esquire, Self, Shape, GQ, Bella, and Empire.

In December 2004, five months after giving birth, she posed for a nude pictorial in Playboy magazine. In July 2006, she posed semi-nude for Jane magazine to raise money for the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation. Richards has also appeared in television commercials for brands such as Pepsi, Head & Shoulders, Secret, J.C. Penney, and Librero. She participated in fashion shows, walking the runway for the "Max Factor Salutes Hollywood" event on March 14, 2007, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and for Ali Landry and Annie Kate Pons's fashion line, Belle Parish, in 2010. In September 2019, she walked the runway at New York Fashion Week for Kyle Richards's and Shahida Clayton's new clothing brand.

In 2012, Richards appeared in an infomercial for the abdominal muscle toner "The Flex Belt." She became the brand ambassador for Oro Gold Cosmetics in 2013. In 2017, she was featured in commercials and advertising campaigns for the furniture brand Urban Home. Richards has also appeared in music videos, including Blues Traveler's "Canadian Rose" and Snoop Dogg's "Undercova Funk".

Richards also engaged in design collaborations for charity. In January 2012, she launched her first collaboration with the fashion subscription service ShoeDazzle to design the "Eloise" heel, which raised over 15.00 K USD for the Kidney Cancer Association. In December 2012, she designed two more shoes for ShoeDazzle as part of their Celebrity Shoe Design Program for Charity, with profits again benefiting the Kidney Cancer Association.

4.2. Philanthropy and Social Contributions

Denise Richards dedicates a substantial amount of her time to philanthropic endeavors, supporting a wide range of charitable causes. She has lent her support to numerous organizations, including the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Feeding America, Much Love Animal Rescue, the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, Best Friends Animal Society, and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Richards has also participated in the NOH8 Campaign and has publicly expressed her support for gay marriage.

Her commitment to animal welfare is particularly notable. She has worked extensively with Best Friends Animal Society on various projects, such as its Pup My Ride program, which facilitates the transport of small dogs from high-kill animal shelters to areas in the US where there is a greater demand for them. In 2014, she actively promoted Best Friends Animal Society's "Save Them All" campaign, stating, "I've been involved with Best Friends Animal Society since 2009 and I've seen firsthand the differences they've made and the countless lives they've saved." She has also regularly appeared on Access Hollywood's monthly pet segment to showcase shelter dogs rescued by Best Friends that are available for adoption. Following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, while assisting with relief efforts in New York, she collaborated with North Shore Animal League and adopted a puppy from a Long Island shelter.

Richards has walked the runway for various charity fashion shows, including Susan G. Komen's 8th Annual Fashion For The Cure, the Clothes Off Your Back Benefit, and The Heart Truth's Red Dress Fall 2011 Collections. After losing her mother to kidney cancer, she dedicated her time to raising awareness and supporting the Kidney Cancer Association. In November 2015, Richards and her daughters spent Thanksgiving volunteering and serving food to homeless families, demonstrating her commitment to community service. In June 2018, she joined The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation's summer theatrical PSA campaign to benefit Brave Beginnings, an initiative that funds vital neonatal equipment for U.S. hospitals. Richards filmed a public service announcement that was aired in movie theaters nationwide.

6.1. Marriage and Family Relationships

Richards became engaged to actor Charlie Sheen on December 26, 2001. They married on June 15, 2002, at the estate of Spin City creator Gary David Goldberg. The couple had two daughters: Sam, born on March 16, 2004, and Lola, born on June 1, 2005.

In March 2005, while pregnant with their second child, Richards filed for divorce from Sheen. The divorce proceedings were contentious; she sought a restraining order against Sheen, alleging death threats against her, though Sheen denied these claims. On April 19, 2006, Richards filed formal legal papers for divorce under California state laws. The divorce was finalized on November 30, 2006, with Sheen being ordered to maintain a distance of 300 ft from his ex-wife and their daughters, except during supervised visits. In May 2010, Sheen surrendered legal custody of Sam and Lola to Richards. While they previously had joint legal custody, Richards sought sole legal custody due to Sheen's "marital turmoil, sobriety issues, and criminal problems," and he did not contest it. Under their divorce agreement, Richards maintained primary physical custody, and Sheen retained visitation rights.

By mid-2012, Richards and Sheen had established a more amicable relationship, often spending time together with their children. This improved dynamic was reflected in their professional lives, with Sheen making a cameo appearance in Richards' movie Madea's Witness Protection (2012), and Richards appearing in Sheen's television series Anger Management. In a move supported by Sheen, Richards was awarded temporary custody of the twin sons born in 2009 to Sheen and his then-wife Brooke Mueller in May 2013, after the children were removed from Mueller's home by child protective services due to concerns over drug use.

In June 2011, Richards adopted a third daughter, Eloise Joni Richards, as a single parent. Her middle name honors Richards' deceased mother. The adoption process took two years, with Eloise being adopted at birth. Eloise has a rare chromosomal disorder, Chromosome 8, Monosomy 8p, which affects her speech. Richards has been actively involved in learning sign language to facilitate communication with her daughter.

In December 2017, Richards began dating Aaron Phypers, prior to his divorce from Nicolette Sheridan being finalized. Richards and Phypers married on September 8, 2018, in Malibu, California. In May 2019, Richards announced that Phypers was in the process of adopting her youngest daughter, Eloise.

6.2. Online Content Creation

In June 2022, Denise Richards joined OnlyFans as a content creator. Her decision was made as a gesture of support for her daughter Sam, who had faced criticism for launching her own account on the platform. Richards expressed her belief that "the creators of [OnlyFans] really took the best of every platform of social media and put it into one site," emphasizing that as a creator, "you own your content," unlike other sites where content can be sold. Richards has reportedly earned a significant income from her presence on the site. Her friend, actress Tori Spelling, later admitted to subscribing to Richards' OnlyFans account under a pseudonym and spending over 400 USD on content and tips within two days.

8.1. Film

8.2. Television

8.3. Music Videos