Bio
Denise Richards is an American actress and former fashion model who became famous in the late 1990s after a string of films that highlighted her sex appeal, including Starship Troopers, Wild Things and The World is Not Enough.
Richards was born in Downers Grove, Illinois, the daughter of Joni, a coffee shop owner, and Irv Richards, a telephone engineer. She is of Croatian and Welsh descent.
She has one sister, Michelle, and grew up in both Mokena, Illinois and Downers Grove, Illinois. She graduated from El Camino High School in 1989, Oceanside, California.
Richards filmed a supporting role in Lifetime's television film Blue Lagoon, a remake of the 1980 film. She can also be seen in Madea's Witness Protection, Tyler Perry's addition to the Madea franchise.
Other projects include a small screen appearance as Lori on FX's Anger Management, a notable guest appearance on NBC's 30 Rock, and a recurring role as Debra, the contentious ex-wife of the BMS football coach (Ed Marinaro) on Spike TV's Blue Mountain State.
Richards made her big screen debut in the cult classic Starship Troopers. She garnered international recognition for her leading Bond Girl role as Dr. Christmas Jones, opposite Pierce Brosnan.
Additional film credits include her memorable performance in the Universal film Wild Things and a cameo in the hit romantic comedy Love Actually.
She also has a starring role as Karen Desai, Danny's mother who would do anything for him, in the teen drama mystery-thriller television series Twisted.
Along with standing out on screen, Richards has advanced her professional career to develop prime business partnerships and to support causes close to her heart. Her collaboration with Shoedazzle to design the Eloise heel raised over $15,000 for the Kidney Cancer Association.
Teaming up with world-renowned hair stylist Christophe, Richards helped develop Volume Extend, an integrated hair care system. As an animal rights advocate, she commits her ambitious nature and her love of animals to Best Friends Animal Society as Ambassador.
Since her involvement, Richards has furthered the cause, saved lives, raised awareness and fostered her own rescues.