Denise Richards was born on February 17, 1971, in Downers Grove, Illinois, to Joni, a coffee shop owner, and Irv Richards, a telephone engineer. She grew up alongside her younger sister Michelle and moved to Oceanside, California, when she was 15.

Denise Richards began her career as a model, traveling to cities like Paris, New York, and Tokyo for photo shoots and commercials. Her natural beauty and vibrant personality made modeling a natural fit for her.

Her breakthrough came with her role in the science fiction film "Starship Troopers" in 1997, followed by the thriller "Wild Things" in 1998, and the James Bond film "The World Is Not Enough" in 1999, where she played the Bond girl, Christmas Jones. Her performance in "The World Is Not Enough" brought her mainstream recognition, despite mixed reviews.

She continued to appear in a variety of films, including comedies like "Drop Dead Gorgeous" (1999), "Undercover Brother" (2002), and "Scary Movie 3" (2003), as well as dramas like "Edmond" (2005) and "Jolene" (2008).

Denise Richards has also been active on television. She starred in the sitcom "Blue Mountain State" (2010-2011), the mystery thriller series "Twisted" (2013-2014), and the soap opera "The Bold and the Beautiful" (2019-2022). She has also been a part of several reality TV shows, including "Denise Richards: It's Complicated" (2008-2009) and "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" (2019-2020, 2023-2024).

Her personal life has been in the spotlight as well. She married actor Charlie Sheen in 2002, and they had two daughters, Sam and Lola.

The couple divorced in 2006 amid public and legal conflicts, including custody disputes. In 2018, Denise married Aaron Phypers, and they have a daughter together, Eloise.

Denise Richards has received several awards and nominations throughout her career. Her memoir, "The Real Girl Next Door," published in 2011, became a New York Times Best Seller.