Denise Richards

Denise Lee Richards (born February 17, 1971) is an American actress, TV personality, and model. She rose to prominence with roles in the science fiction film ''Starship Troopers'' (1997), the erotic thriller film '' Wild Things'' (1998), and the James Bond film ''The World Is Not Enough'' (1999). Her performance as Bond girl Christmas Jones in the latter, while criticized, granted Richards her mainstream breakthrough.

Richards has appeared in films such as the comedies '' Drop Dead Gorgeous'' (1999), ''Undercover Brother'' (2002), ''Scary Movie 3'' (2003), ''Love Actually'' (2003), and ''Madea's Witness Protection'' (2012), the slasher '' Valentine'' (2001), the dramas ''Edmond'' (2005) and ''Jolene'' (2008), and the musical thriller ''American Satan'' (2017). Her television roles include the sitcom ''Blue Mountain State'' (2010–2011), the mystery thriller series '' Twisted'' (2013–2014), and the soap opera ''The Bold and the Beautiful'' (2019–2022).

Richards has starred on reality series such as '' Denise Richards: It's Complicated'' (2008–2009), ''The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'' (2019–2020, 2023–2024), and ''Denise Richards & Her Wild Things'' (2025). In 2011, she published a memoir, ''The Real Girl Next Door'', which became a ''New York Times'' Best Seller.

Early life

Richards was born in Downers Grove, Illinois, to Joni (née Braden), a coffee shop owner, and Irv Richards, a telephone engineer. Her mother died of cancer in November 2007. She has said that her ancestry includes German and French heritage. Richards has a younger sister, Michelle. She grew up in both Downers Grove and Mokena, Illinois. As a child, she was the "only girl on the baseball team".

When Richards was 15 years old, her family moved to Oceanside, California. In 1989, she graduated from El Camino High School. She was voted best looking in her high school yearbook. Richards was raised Catholic. After her high school graduation, she began working as a model and traveled to cities such as Paris, New York, and Tokyo to do photo shoots and commercials.

Career

1990s

Richards began her career as a teenager in modeling and appeared in print ads for Bonne Bell cosmetics in 1991. She also appeared on the cover of ''Teen'' magazine; in an instructional video, "Modeling: What It Takes"; and later in Max Factor's Premiere 2K advertising campaign.

In the 1990s, Richards appeared in several films and television shows such as ''Loaded Weapon 1'' (1993), ''Tammy and the T-Rex'' (1994), '' Lookin' Italian'' (1994), and guest starring in episodes of ''Saved by the Bell'', '' Married... with Children'' and '' Doogie Howser, M.D.'' In 1993, she portrayed Ben Affleck's character's girlfriend named Jodi Collins, in the short-lived drama series '' Against the Grain.'' Richards made guest appearances in several television shows, including ''Beverly Hills, 90210'' (1992), ''Seinfeld'' (1993), '' Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman'' (1994), and a guest-arc in ''Melrose Place'' (1996). In 1995, Richards appeared in a 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 was ''Starship Troopers'' in 1997 for which Richards was nominated for the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Female Newcomer. The film grossed a total of $121.2 million worldwide. In 2012, ''Slant Magazine'' ranked the film at number 20 on its list of the 100 Best Films of the 1990s. She followed this with a role in the erotic thriller film '' Wild Things'' (1998) alongside Kevin Bacon, Matt Dillon and Neve Campbell. ''Variety'' praised Richards's transition from good-girl-type roles to manipulative villainess and the review continued to include her as part of "an ensemble that appears to be enjoying the challenge of offbeat roles and unusual material. There's not a wrong note struck by the game group of players." In 2016, '' Glamour'' praised the film's female characters by describing Richards and Neve Campbell as "two of the most well-rounded, fascinating, and exciting characters to ever grace the screen."

Richards was cast as the nuclear physicist Christmas Jones in the James Bond film ''The World Is Not Enough'' (1999). Though she considered her role "brainy", "athletic", and having depth of character, she was criticized as not credible in the role. Her outfit, which often comprised a low-cut tank top and tight shorts, elicited unfavorable comments. Richards stated that a lot of viewers "made fun of" the character's attire but that "These Bond girls are so outrageous and if I did really look like a scientist, the Bond fans would have been disappointed." Richards was nominated for the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favourite Actress – Action, for the film. Later that year, Richards starred alongside Kirsten Dunst in the beauty pageant satire, '' Drop Dead Gorgeous''. The film has gained new fans with time and is regarded as a cult film. Richards, playing a spoiled princess, was praised for her performance by ''Los Angeles Times'' for being "as rightly nasty as she is pretty".

2000s

In 2001, she guest-starred in ''Friends'' as Ross and Monica Geller's cousin, Cassie 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 of Charlie Sheen's character. She starred as Sheen's character's ex-girlfriend two years later in two episodes of ''Two and a Half Men''. Richards appeared in numerous films such as '' 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 commercial success and grossed $220 million worldwide. The film's plot significantly parodies the films ''The Ring'', '' Signs'', ''The Matrix Reloaded''. Richards made a brief appearance in the British romantic comedy ''Love Actually'' (2003)''.'' In 2004, she appeared in two films, ''Whore'' and ''Elvis Has Left the Building''.

In 2005, Richards had a lead role as publicist Jolene in the short-lived UPN soap opera ''Sex, Love & Secrets''. The series focused on rich young adults living in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, and their secrets involving sex and love. She starred in the ensemble drama film '' Edmond'' (2005) alongside William H. Macy and Mena Suvari. In 2008, she reunited with her ''Wild Things'' on-screen mother Theresa Russell in the drama film '' Jolene'' (2008)''.'' Her reality show '' Denise Richards: It's Complicated'' debuted on E! on May 26, 2008. The series followed the daily lives of Richards, her daughters Sam and Lola, and her married younger sister Michelle and father Irv. ''Entertainment Weekly'' published a review and wrote that "''It's Complicated'' is one of those "celebs, they're just like us!" shows in which we're expected to enjoy watching a famous pampered person doing things we don't want to do either." The series concluded after two seasons on July 26, 2009.

Richards appeared on the 8th season of dance competition television series ''Dancing with the Stars'', paired with Maksim Chmerkovskiy. She was the second contestant eliminated on March 24, 2009. She landed the role of Autumn Bliss in the romantic comedy film '' Deep in the Valley'' (2009) alongside Kim Kardashian and Chris Pratt.

2010s

In 2010, she joined Paramount Network's sitcom ''Blue Mountain State'' as Debra Simon''.'' The series is about a fictional university, Blue Mountain State, and its football team, the "Mountain Goats". It portrays certain aspects of American university life, including American football, sex, drinking, and partying. In February 2012, it was reported that ''Blue Mountain State'' would not be renewed for a fourth season. Over the years, due in large part to being streamable on Netflix, the series has developed a cult following. In July 2011, Richards published a memoir ''The Real Girl Next Door'', a New York Times Best Seller. Richards decided to write a book because she "wanted to do something inspirational for other people going through challenging times," she told ''HuffPost'' in 2011. In September 2011, Richards reportedly turned down $100,000 to appear as an ex-girlfriend at Charlie Sheen's funeral in ''Two and a Half Men''. A month later, she began filming a guest spot for an episode for the sixth season of NBC comedy series ''30 Rock''.'30 Rock' Season 6: Check Out James Marsden & Denise Richards on Set (PHOTOS)
AOL TV. October 18, 2011. Richards was part of TV Guide Network's show, ''Hollywood Moms' Club'', which aired in November 2011.

Richards played Kate Needleman in the comedy film ''Madea's Witness Protection'' (2012), which grossed $67 million at the box office. ''Madea's Witness Protection'' was filmed in Atlanta in early 2012 and was released through 34th Street Films and Lionsgate. In 2012, Richards joined the cast of ABC Family's mystery-thriller television series '' Twisted''. 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 Richards 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 is about a family who go on a summer road trip in a used RV and get stranded in the desert by a supernatural force that is slowly killing them off. She portrayed Karen in the faith-based film '' The Prayer Box'' (2018), released on October 20, 2018.In August 2018, Richards announced that she would be joining the Bravo reality series, ''The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'', for the show's ninth season, which premiered on February 12, 2019. '' Vanity Fair'' described her addition to the series by saying: "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. Now, that doesn't always translate to on-screen gold, but it is a nice little coup for Bravo." ''The New York Times'' wrote that Richards "brought a refreshing and occasionally disarming dose of reality" to the series. On May 31, 2019, ''The Daily Beast'' wrote 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 called her "an instant fan favorite" when she joined the show in 2019.
In 2019, she joined the cast of CBS's soap opera ''The Bold and the Beautiful'' as Shauna Fulton. "Shauna is a fun-loving, hard-working single mother from Las Vegas who aspires to live life to its absolute fullest," executive producer and headwriter Bradley Bell told ''People'' magazine. In July 2019, it was announced that Richards had joined the cast of Fox Broadcasting's comedy-drama television series ''BH90210'' in a guest role, playing a fictionalized version of herself. She portrayed overly-ambitious mother Candice in Lifetime (TV network), Lifetime television film ''The Secret Lives of Cheerleaders'', released on September 2, 2019. "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," Richards told ''Parade (magazine), Parade''. On November 4, 2019, Richards appeared as a guest model on the game show ''The Price Is Right (American game show), The Price Is Right''. Richards played Valerie in the Christmas film ''My Adventures with Santa'' (2019) opposite Patrick Muldoon. The film was released in limited theaters on November 15, 2019.

2020s

Richards returned for ''The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills''' tenth season, which premiered on April 15, 2020. On September 10, 2020, her representative confirmed that Richards is leaving the series after two seasons. In late 2020, Richards traveled to Spain to begin filming adventure drama series ''Glow & Darkness'', portraying the role of 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 moved to a new town with her dad and stepmom, Amanda (Richards).

On November 15, 2024, Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox announced that Richards would be one of fifteen contestants to appear on the third season of reality quasi-military training television series ''Special Forces: World's Toughest Test''.

In March 2025, Richards starred in ''Denise Richards & Her Wild Things'', a reality television series focusing on her and her family for Bravo. The series launched on E!. The show lasted for one season.

Other activities

Business

Richards launched her self-titled fragrance in spring 2012. In November 2019, Richards announced that she has developed a skincare line with CBme Beauty.

Modeling

During her career, Richards has been on the cover of numerous magazines, including ''Cosmopolitan (magazine), Cosmopolitan'' (Poland, Greece, US and Germany), ''Redbook'', ''Details (magazine), Details'', ''Esquire (magazine), Esquire'', ''Self (magazine), Self,'' ''Shape (magazine), Shape'', ''GQ'', ''Bella (British magazine), Bella'' and ''Empire (film magazine), Empire.'' In December 2004, she posed for a nude pictorial in ''Playboy'' magazine, five months after giving birth. Richards posed semi-nude for the July 2006 issue of ''Jane (magazine), Jane'' magazine to raise money for the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation. She has appeared in television commercials for Pepsi, Head & Shoulders, Secret (deodorant brand), Secret, J. C. Penney, J.C. Penney and Librero. Richards walked the runway at the "Max Factor Salutes Hollywood" fashion show on March 14, 2007, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Hollywood.

In 2010, Richards walked the runway for Ali Landry and Annie Kate Pons's fashion line, Belle Parish's fashion show. In 2012, Richards appeared in an infomercial for abdominal muscle toner "The Flex Belt" alongside Adrianne Curry, Lisa Rinna and Janet Evans. In 2013, she became the brand ambassador for Oro Gold Cosmetics. In 2017, she appeared in furniture brand Urban Home's commercials and advertising campaigns. Richard has appeared in Blues Traveler's music video for "Canadian Rose" and Snoop Dogg's music video for "Undercova Funk (Give Up the Funk), Undercova Funk". In September 2019, she walked the runway for Kyle Richards's and Shahida Clayton's new clothing brand at New York Fashion Week.

Philanthropy

Outside of work, Richards dedicates much of her time to philanthropy. She has supported numerous charities, including Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Feeding America, Much Love Animal Rescue, Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, Best Friends Animal Society and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Richards has also appeared in the NOH8 Campaign and has spoken in support of gay marriage.

Richards has worked with Best Friends Animal Society on several projects, including its Pup My Ride program, which transports small dogs from high-kill animal shelters to other parts of the US where there is a greater demand for small dogs. She promoted Best Friends Animal Society's Save Them All campaign in 2014. "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," Richards said. She has regularly appeared on ''Access Hollywoods monthly pet segment showcasing shelter dogs rescued by Best Friends and available for adoption. While assisting with relief efforts in New York following Hurricane Sandy, she worked together with North Shore Animal League America, North Shore Animal League, and adopted a puppy from a Long Island shelter.

She has walked the runway for charity fashion shows, such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Susan G. Komen's 8th Annual Fashion For The Cure, Clothes Off Your Back Benefit and The Heart Truth's Red Dress Fall 2011 Collections. In January 2012, she launched her first collaboration with fashion subscription service ShoeDazzle to design the "Eloise" heel and raised over $15,000 for the Kidney Cancer Association. In December 2012, she designed two shoes for ShoeDazzle as part of their Celebrity Shoe Design Program for Charity. Profits from the shoe sales went to the Kidney Cancer Association. After Richards lost her mother to kidney cancer, she dedicated her time to raising awareness and helping the Kidney Cancer Association. In November 2015, Richards and her daughters spent Thanksgiving volunteering and serving food for homeless families.

In June 2018, she joined The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation's summer theatrical PSA campaign to benefit Brave Beginnings, which funds vital neonatal equipment to U.S. hospitals. Richards filmed a public service announcement that was played at movie theaters nationwide.

Media image

Richards's appearance has often been the subject of media attention. In 1999, she was ranked #9 in ''Maxim (magazine), Maxim'''s 50 Sexiest Women. In 2001, she was voted #2 in ''FHM'''s 100 Sexiest Women, #5 in ''FHMs FHM's 100 Sexiest Women (UK), 100 Sexiest Women and #19 in AskMen.com's 50 Most Beautiful Women. She was named one of the "100 Hottest Women of All-Time" by ''Men's Health (magazine), Men's Health''. In 2002, Richards was ranked at number 21 in ''Stuff (magazine), Stuff'' magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World." In 2011, ''Men's Health'' ranked her at number 61 on their list of "100 Hottest Women of All Time." ''Shape (magazine), Shape'' magazine ranked her at number 7 on their list of "10 of Our Fave Bond Girls: Then and Now."

Personal life

Richards became engaged to actor Charlie Sheen on December 26, 2001, and they were married on June 15, 2002, at the estate of ''Spin City'' creator Gary David Goldberg. They have two children together. In March 2005, while pregnant with their second child, Richards filed for divorce from Sheen. She sought a restraining order against Sheen, alleging death threats against her. On April 19, 2006, Richards filed formal legal papers seeking a divorce from Sheen under the laws of the state of California. The divorce was finalized on November 30, 2006; Sheen was ordered to stay 300 feet away from his ex-wife and their daughters, except during supervised visits. In May 2010, Sheen surrendered legal custody of Sam and Lola to Richards. They previously had joint legal custody of their daughters. According to a source, Richards wanted sole legal custody, given Sheen's "marital turmoil, sobriety issues, and criminal problems" and he did not fight it. Under their divorce agreement, she had primary physical custody and he had visitation rights.

By mid-2012, Richards and Sheen were on good terms, often spending time together with their children. In 2012, Sheen made a cameo appearance in her movie ''Madea's Witness Protection,'' while Richards appeared in Sheen's television series ''Anger Management (TV series), Anger Management''. In a move supported by Sheen, in May 2013, Richards was awarded temporary custody of the twin sons born in 2009 to Sheen and his wife Brooke Mueller, 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's deceased mother. Richards adopted her at birth, following a two-year adoption process. Eloise has a rare chromosomal disorder, Chromosome 8, Monosomy 8p, which affects her speech. Richards has worked on learning sign language to communicate with her daughter.

In December 2017, Richards began dating Aaron Phypers before his divorce from Nicollette Sheridan was finalized. On September 8, 2018, Richards and Phypers married in Malibu, California. In May 2019, Richards announced that Phypers was adopting her youngest daughter, Eloise. On July 7, 2025, Phypers filed for divorce from Richards in Los Angeles, citing irreconcilable differences and listing their date of separation as July 4.

Richards joined OnlyFans as a content creator in June 2022, as a gesture of support for her daughter Sami, who had attracted criticism for launching her own account. She said that she believed "the creators of [OnlyFans] really took the best of every platform of social media and put it into one site," because as a creator, "you own your content. The other sites, they can sell your content." Richards earns a significant income via the site. Her friend, Tori Spelling, later admitted to subscribing with a pseudonymous account and spending over $400 on content and tips in two days.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Bibliography

* Richards, Denise. ''The Real Girl Next Door.'' Gallery Books, 2011.

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Richards, Denise
1971 births
Living people
20th-century American actresses
21st-century American actresses
21st-century American memoirists
21st-century American women writers
Actresses from Illinois
American female models
American film actresses
American soap opera actresses
American television actresses
American people of French descent
American people of German descent
Female models from Illinois
OnlyFans creators
Participants in American reality television series
People from Downers Grove, Illinois
People from Mokena, Illinois
People from Oceanside, California