She first captivated television audiences as the glamorous and cunning Paige Matheson on the iconic prime-time soap Knots Landing, before later becoming one of the most memorable villains on Desperate Housewives as the sharp-tongued Edie Britt. Nicollette Sheridan was, for many viewers, the definition of 1980s and 1990s television glamour.
Yet behind the fame, beauty, and unforgettable roles lies a personal story filled with complicated relationships, career highs and lows, and moments of resilience that many fans may not fully know. From her Hollywood upbringing to publicized romances and professional controversies, Sheridan’s journey has been anything but ordinary.
So, what happened to Nicollette Sheridan—and what does she look like today? Keep reading to find out more about the actress whose career left an indelible mark on television history.
Rising to Stardom on Knots Landing
Nicollette Sheridan exploded onto the small screen as Paige Matheson, a gorgeous, scheming, and manipulative vixen on Knots Landing, the wildly popular Dallas spinoff. While the series premiered in 1979, Sheridan joined the cast in 1986 and remained on the show for seven successful years.
Fresh off her role as John Cusack’s love interest in the romantic comedy The Sure Thing (1985), Sheridan brought a fresh energy to the series. Her portrayal of Paige struck a perfect balance between charm and ruthlessness, making the character both captivating and unpredictable.
“Paige is different. She’s strong, she’s ambitious, she’s bright, she’s mischievous,” Sheridan once said while describing her role.
Audiences agreed. Paige Matheson quickly became one of the show’s most memorable characters, and Sheridan’s performance earned her widespread praise. In 1990, she won the Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actress and was also named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People,” cementing her status as a television star and style icon.
Growing Up in Hollywood
Unlike many aspiring actors, Nicollette Sheridan grew up surrounded by the entertainment industry. She is the daughter of actress Sally Adams and was raised in Hollywood alongside her mother’s longtime partner, actor Telly Savalas, best known for his role as Blofeld in the James Bond franchise.
Born in England, Sheridan moved to the United States at the age of 10. For years, her British accent set her apart—but not always in a positive way.
“All the kids used to make fun of that, and I hated it,” she once told the Tampa Bay Times in 1988. “So I practiced every day talking with an American accent and pretty much mastered it.”
Today, Sheridan effortlessly switches between accents, a testament to her dedication and adaptability as an actress.
Love, Marriage, and Public Scrutiny
Despite her success on screen, Sheridan’s personal life—particularly her romantic relationships—has often drawn intense public attention.
Her first marriage was to actor Harry Hamlin in 1991. The union was short-lived, ending in divorce just 11 months later. The reasons behind their split became a subject of controversy years later when Hamlin’s second wife, actress Lisa Rinna, claimed Sheridan had cheated on Hamlin with singer Michael Bolton.
Rinna made the allegation on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, sparking a very public feud. Sheridan strongly denied the accusation, insisting that the affair never happened. What followed was a heated exchange on social media, with Hamlin publicly defending Rinna and accusing Sheridan of dishonesty.
While the truth behind the marriage remains disputed, it is publicly known that Sheridan and Michael Bolton did have an on-again, off-again relationship beginning in 1992—after her divorce from Hamlin.
The pair dated for five years, separated, then reunited in 2005. They became engaged in 2006, but ultimately called it quits for good in 2008.
More Marriages and Heartbreak
Sheridan later married actor Aaron Phypers, but the relationship lasted only six months before ending in divorce. In an interesting twist, Phypers later went on to marry another Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, Denise Richards, in 2018.
By this time, Sheridan was also facing major upheaval in her professional life.
The Desperate Housewives Controversy
Nicollette Sheridan reached a new generation of fans as the sharp, sarcastic, and unapologetically bold Edie Britt on Desperate Housewives. Her character quickly became a fan favorite, known for her biting humor and fearless confidence.
So when Edie Britt was suddenly killed off the show, viewers were shocked. Many fans felt the series was never the same afterward, with some admitting they stopped watching altogether.
Sheridan later claimed her firing was retaliatory, stemming from accusations she made against show creator Marc Cherry. She alleged that Cherry physically assaulted her during a dispute on set and described him as abusive and hostile toward others working on the show.
Sheridan sued Cherry following her departure, but after years of legal battles, the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed in 2017. Despite the outcome, the experience marked a turning point in her career and contributed to her decision to step back from the Hollywood spotlight.
Stepping Away—and Returning on Her Own Terms
Following the controversy, Sheridan chose to focus on smaller, more personal projects. She appeared in several Hallmark Channel movies and later joined the reboot of Dynasty in 2017, taking on the iconic role of Alexis Carrington.
However, in 2019, her character was killed off after Sheridan made the decision to prioritize family over career.
“Working on the Dynasty reboot and reprising the iconic role of Alexis has been thoroughly enjoyable,” she told TVLine, “but the chance to spend precious time with my terminally ill mother is more important to me right now.”
Where Is Nicollette Sheridan Today?
Now in her late 50s, Nicollette Sheridan lives a quieter life away from constant media attention. While she no longer dominates prime-time television, her legacy remains firmly intact. From Knots Landing to Desperate Housewives, her performances helped define eras of television—and her characters are still remembered and celebrated by fans around the world.
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