Laura Leighton

With her first major role, actress Laura Leighton became a familiar face to millions as a cast member on one of the most watched primetime soaps of the 1990s. Leighton achieved early TV fame in her role as bad girl Sydney Andrews on "Melrose Place" (Fox, 1992-99), which in addition to providing her with a hit show, introduced Leighton to co-star and future husband, Doug Savant. After departing from her trendy Melrose address, she remained close with series producer Aaron Spelling, who invited her to guest star in several episodes on his other long-running hit "Beverly Hills, 90210" (Fox, 1990-2000). Occasional feature films like the romantic comedy "Seven Girlfriends" (1999) and such made-for-TV efforts as the thriller "A Deadly Encounter" (Lifetime, 2004) and the generational drama "Daniel's Daughter" (Hallmark, 2008) comprised much of Leighton's professional output over the next decade. A brief return to her former West Hollywood environs on the failed update of "Melrose Place" (The CW, 2009-2010) preceded a lengthier run as the mother of a popular but troubled daughter on the teen drama "Pretty Little Liars" (ABC Family, 2010- ). With her combination of beauty and intensity, Leighton remained a fan favorite in the world of television melodrama decades years after making her auspicious debut.