Heather Graham cut off ‘evil’ parents who warned Hollywood ‘would claim her soul’

Austin Powers star Heather Graham has opened up about her childhood, revealing she grew up without the support of her parents.
The actress, known for her roles in films such as 1997’s Boogie Nights, 1998’s Lost in Space and 1999’s Bowfinger, is perhaps best recognized for her portrayal of Felicity Shagwell in Austin Powers. 
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Heather first discovered her passion for acting during a school production of The Wizard of Oz.
She later attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where she studied English for two years before deciding to defy her parents’ wishes and pursue acting full time.
Her parents had warned her about the perceived evils of Hollywood.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal published on August 27, Heather revealed: “He [her father] regularly told me that the entertainment industry was evil and that Hollywood would claim my soul.”
She added that her parents “were part of a generation that didn’t believe in therapy or discussing personal things, so I never felt I could talk to them.”
After wrapping up filming for License to Drive, which premiered in 1988, Heather decided to move out.
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She found living at home “had become more difficult” following the release of the film.
At the time, she was just 18-years-old.
Heather shared: “Living at home had become more difficult. I said to myself, ‘I’ve got to get out of here, I’ve got to be successful, and I’ve got to be a movie star.’
“I found an apartment in West Hollywood with another girl from high school – a working model who was also investing in real estate on the side. Living with her was freeing.”
Her life took a turn when she dropped out of UCLA and started landing roles in films like Swingers and Austin Powers.
This allowed her to gain independence from her parents, leading to her estrangement from them at the age of 25.
She proudly stated: “My friends are proud of me, and I’m proud of myself. I have really good friends.”
Reflecting on her life, Heather feels content with her accomplishments. She owns a house in Los Angeles that “has views of the Pacific” and a loft in New York.