While attending UCLA, Heather Locklear began modeling and working in commercials for the school store. In 1979, Locklear landed her first TV role in a TV movie and then on an episode of CHiPs a year later. She landed a few more bit parts in shows like Eight Is Enough, before Aaron Spelling cast her in the role of Sammy Jo Carrington in his new TV series Dynasty. Locklear proved a popular addition to the cast in the show's second season, in the fall of 1981. Spelling immediately cast her opposite William Shatner in the cop show T.J. Hooker. The show's 1982 premiere sent Locklear into the Hollywood stratosphere. Throughout the 1980's she continued to work on these two shows and in numerous movies and television specials.

In the 1990's (after a failed sitcom Going Places), Locklear won the role that is probably her best known: the vixen Amanda Woodward on the series Melrose Place from 1993 to 1999. She was originally brought on as a guest star in an attempt to boost the ratings, and her billing in the credits reflected this. Despite eventually becoming a full-fledged cast member, she was still listed as "Special Guest Star" all the way through the end of the series, several years later. Locklear also won First Americans in the Arts: Best Actress in a TV series for her role on Melrose Place. After her run on the show, she was immediately on another TV sitcom, Spin City, opposite Michael J. Fox. She was similarly brought in as a successful ratings boost for this show. Locklear also served for 6 years as the spokesperson for the Health and Tennis Corporation of America. Locklear starred in the Airport drama LAX, which ran from 2004 to 2005.