Heather Joan Graham was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Joan, a schoolteacher and children's book author, and James Graham, an FBI agent. Due to her father's career, the family relocated frequently, providing Heather with a broad perspective from an early age. Despite being naturally shy, she discovered a love for acting that grew stronger throughout her childhood, finding joy and confidence in performing.
Encouraged by her creative interests, Heather actively participated in school plays and local theater productions. She was voted Most Talented by her senior class, a testament to her early dedication and natural ability. Following high school, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, while also attending the University of California, Los Angeles, where she studied English. After two years, she left UCLA to focus fully on her acting career.
Early roles in films such as Drugstore Cowboy, Six Degrees of Separation, and Swingers paved the way for her breakout performances in Boogie Nights and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, establishing her as a prominent figure in Hollywood. Over the years, Heather has built a diverse filmography, including notable roles in From Hell, Bowfinger, The Hangover, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, The Rest of Us, and On a Wing and a Prayer.
Her television appearances include roles in Scrubs, Californication, Twin Peaks: The Return, and The Last Son. Beyond acting, Heather has ventured into writing, directing, and producing. She made her directorial debut with Half Magic in 2018, a comedy she also wrote and starred in. In 2024, she wrote, directed, and starred in Chosen Family, a romantic dramedy that explores the concept of finding family among friends. The film premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and was released on October 11, 2024.
Heather stars alongside Nicolas Cage in the action-packed Western The Gunslingers, set to release April 11, 2025. The film showcases her versatility in a gritty, high-stakes adventure set against the backdrop of the American frontier. She's also set to appear in the upcoming horror thriller They Will Kill You, produced by Skydance's Nocturna Pictures and co-financed by New Line Cinema. Directed by Kirill Sokolov, the film features Heather alongside Zazie Beetz, Patricia Arquette, Tom Felton, and Myha'la, and began production in late 2024.
