Whatever Happened to Amy Locane? The Disturbing Story of the ‘Melrose Place’ Star
What To Know
- Amy Locane was a successful actress in the 1990s, known for roles in Cry-Baby and Melrose Place.
- Her career ended abruptly after a 2010 drunk driving accident.
- She is currently living a quiet life in New Jersey.
In the 1990s, actress Amy Locane was seemingly everywhere. The striking blonde beauty carved out an eclectic career that took her from cult art house films to mainstream television, earning attention for both her on-screen presence and her range as a performer. Whether she was working with indie directors in offbeat projects or appearing in primetime network dramas, Locane seemed poised for lasting success.
Then, just as quickly as she rose, she disappeared. At the height of her fame, she all but vanished from Hollywood.
For those who are not aware of why she disappeared for almost 20 years, the reason may come as a shock. Her life took a dramatic and tragic turn that not only derailed her acting career but reshaped her personal world in ways few could have anticipated.
How did Amy Locane begin her career?
Universal Pictures/Courtesy: Everett Collection
Locane’s big break came in the ’80s when she played the part of Andrea in the show Spencer, where she was the little sister of Chad Lowe, brother of Brad.
As a young adult, Locane starred opposite Beastie Boy Adam “Ad Rock” Horovitz in Hugh Hudson‘s Lost Angels, a drama about troubled teens in Los Angeles. The role opened the door to one of her most memorable turns as Allison in Cry-Baby, where she played the prim and proper love interest opposite Johnny Depp in John Waters‘s offbeat musical.
After Cry-Baby, Locane was on a roll. She starred opposite Brendan Fraser in two projects: First as his love interest Sally in 1992’s School Ties, with Matt Damon, then as his metal-loving girlfriend Kayla in Airheads, with Adam Sandler. Between the two flicks, she starred as Sandy in Melrose Place.
In the late ’90s, Locane worked steadily, starring in films like Prefontaine with Jared Leto and Bongwater with Luke Wilson. As she entered the 2000s, she was still working steadily when in 2006, she retired from acting to seemingly focus on her family. But sadly, that isn’t the end of her story.
Why did she disappear?
In 2010, Locane was involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident when attorney Fred Seeman and his wife turned into the driveway of their home. Locane struck their car going about 20 mph over the 35-mph speed limit. Helene Seeman died in the crash, while her husband suffered serious injuries.
According to reports, Locane’s blood alcohol content was almost three times the legal limit. Locane was indicted for aggravated manslaughter and assault by automobile, and in November 2012, she was convicted. In February 2013, she was sentenced to three years in prison, which was below the minimum recommended sentence for such crimes.
However, after she served her sentence, a New Jersey appeals court reviewed the case and determined that the punishment had been too lenient. In February 2019, Locane was re-sentenced to five years in prison, but she remained free on bail while she appealed. The case then returned to an appellate panel, which ruled that the judge who issued the 2019 sentence had done so incorrectly.
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In September 2020, a new judge agreed that the original sentence was too light and ordered Locane to serve eight additional years in prison.
Locane was released from the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Union Township, New Jersey, in late December 2024.
Where is Amy Locane today?
Locane is attempting to rebuild her life and come to terms with the horrible tragedy she caused. ““It feels very raw to be back into society,” Locane told Us Weekly. “I’m looking at the world with fresh eyes.”
She is currently living in Princeton, New Jersey, where she works the front desk at a doctor’s office, is active in her church, and is attempting to get her associate’s degree.
In a post on her birthday, Locane wrote: “Happy BD to me! This time last year I was abandoned, devastated, and so scared as to what my future held. I prayed to God on my hands and knees for 4 years; and the Lord delivered so many blessings; I’m speechless and in awe as to how through him, anything is possible. Thank You God for the new people in my life and those who stuck around. Thank you that everyone is healthy. Thank You for listening to my prayers and delivering a better life today than the one that was destroyed years ago. GOD IS GOOD. Beyond grateful”
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