Denise Lee Richards was born on February 17, 1971, in Downers Grove, Illinois, to Joni, a coffee shop owner, and Irv Richards, a telephone engineer. She has a younger sister, Michelle. The family moved to California when she was a teenager, where she attended El Camino High School in Oceanside, graduating in 1989.
Richards began her acting career in the early 1990s, appearing in television series such as “Saved by the Bell,” “Married… with Children,” and “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Her first major film role was in “Starship Troopers” (1997), followed by a supporting role in “Wild Things” (1998), which gained her significant attention.
Richards’ career progressed with leading roles in films such as “The World Is Not Enough” (1999), where she portrayed Bond girl Christmas Jones, and “Valentine” (2001). She continued to work in both mainstream and independent films throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
In addition to her film work, Richards has maintained a consistent presence on television. She starred in her own reality show, “Denise Richards: It’s Complicated,” which aired for two seasons. She also joined the cast of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” for seasons nine and ten.
Richards has also worked as a model and has made appearances in various magazines. She has also been involved in philanthropic endeavors.