Trivia

Heather grew up in a small map dot town in rural Oklahoma -Seminole. Homeschool by night and high school by day, she doubled up her credits while in 10th grade. She graduated High School as class Salutatorian when she was 16 years old.

Met director Nick Cassavetes shortly before filming John Q (2002). While on set, they fell in love and got engaged one month later. They have one child together.

Of Italian, Swedish and American Indian (Cherokee) descent.

To appease her father, Heather attended the University of Oklahoma for two years before escaping to Los Angeles. She originally wanted to be a Forensic Profiler.

After leaving college, Heather moved to Europe and taught Advanced English classes in Izmir, Turkey, Paris, France, and Amsterdam.

Michael Jordan was the first celebrity she met in Los Angeles.

Daughter-in-law of Gena Rowlands and the late John Cassavetes.

She was nominated for Best Actress and Best Screenplay at the 2012 Tokyo International Film Festival for "Yellow".

Second wife of Nick Cassavetes.

She is a supporter of The Women's Care Cottage and Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Both organizations supports and aids Abused single parents.

Stepmother of Sasha Cassavetes and Virginia Cassavetes.

Sister-in-law of Xan Cassavetes and Zoe R. Cassavetes.

Has an Italian Greyhound named Lampington "Lampy" Tuffington, adopted while shooting The Notebook (2004) and playing character Sara Tuffington.

Her favorite actor is Shirley MacLaine.

She has one sister, Davanee Wahlquist. She is a blanket designer. Her parents, Linda and Paul, are interior designers.