- Actress Anne Heche's life was ended abruptly by a tragic car crash.
- She struggled with her acting career after having an affair with a famous LGBTQ icon and also struggled greatly after a failed marriage.
- Her two children were in a battle for her estate after she died and have not been seen together since their mother's passing.
Before becoming an actress, Anne Heche had humble beginnings in Aurora, Ohio. Her father died of AIDS when she was only 12 and was subsequently raised in a conservative and religious household.
Her father's death left a financial strain on their family, so she began working at a dinner theater in New Jersey to make ends meet. Her family later on relocated to Chicago.
Anne Heche (L) and her son Atlas Heche Tupper visit "Extra" at The Grove on August 27, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
When Heche was in high school, a talent scout saw her in a school production. After graduating, she moved to New York City, where she was cast on the daytime drama "Another World."
Heche went on to win a Daytime Emmy Award for her portrayal of twins Marley and Vicky Hudson on the show, two girls who had very distinct personalities.
By 1993, Heche was given a chance on the big screen in "An Ambush of Ghosts." It was only the beginning of her fame, as she landed role after role since then.
Anne Heche and son, Homer Heche Laffoon arrive to Michael Jackson's "This Is It" - Los Angeles premiere held at Nokia Theatre - L.A. Live on October 27, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
She starred in "Donnie Brasco" alongside Johnny Depp, "Volcano" alongside Tommy Lee Jones, and "Wag the Dog" with Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman.
In 1997, she was exposed for her relationship with Ellen DeGeneres. Her ability to portray a heterosexual romantic lead was in question, and others began speculating that this was the beginning of the end of her career.
Anne Heche stands in a shower in a scene from the film "Psycho" circa 1998. | Source: Getty Images
Despite this, Heche continued to act. She was on "Six Days Seven Nights" with Harrison Ford, and “Return to Paradise" and "Psycho" with Vince Vaughn, the latter being an Alfred Hitchcock remake.
Things hit a rough patch in 2000 when DeGeneres ended their relationship. Heche was hospitalized after being found wandering in Fresno, California, aimlessly.
Anne Heche as Katherine Brennan on "Chicago P.D." season 6 circa 2018. | Source: Getty Images
She later looked back at her relationship with the comedian and said Hollywood "blacklisted" her after their relationship. It took ten years for her to star in a studio picture again, and was fired from a $10 million dollar deal after her relationship.
She almost lost a big project of hers, particularly "Six Days Seven Nights." It was Ford who stood behind her even when the studio was hesitant to keep her in her role.
Harrison Ford And Anne Heche In A Scene From The New Buena Vista Movie "6Days, 7 Nights" circa 1998 | Source: Getty Images
Heche recalled getting a call from the veteran actor, saying "We have a romantic comedy to make. Let's make it the best one that's ever happened."
A year later, Heche released her own memoir titled "Call Me Crazy." That same year, she married Coley Laffoon, a videographer with whom she shared a son named Homer.
Anne Heche and Atlas Heche Tupper with a presenter at Variety Studio at Sundance by Orville Redenbacher's Day 4 in Park City, Utah, on January 23, 2017. | Source: Getty Images
Rather than hitting the big screen, Heche jumpstarted her career on Broadway with the drama "Proof" and the comedy "Twentieth Century," which earned her a Tony nomination.
By 2004, Heche was a small-screen actress. She worked on "Gracie's Choice," which gave her her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination. She also had a recurring role in "Everwood," a family drama.
Anne Heche and Homer Laffoon attend the celebration launch of Christian Siriano's new book 'Dresses to Dream About' at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills on November 19, 2021 in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
In 2006, Heche was given her own series titled "Men In Trees." She played a relationship expert named Marin Frist, who went to a small town in Alaska after her own relationship ended.
After getting married in 2001, she separated from her husband in 2007. She and Laffoon publicly battled for custody of their son.
Anne Heche, son Atlas, and son Homer attend Disney On Ice Presents Let's Celebrate! Presented By Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt Celebrity Premiere & Skating Party at Staples Center on December 11, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
She soon after became romantically involved with her "Men in Trees" co-star, James Tupper, with whom she shared a son named Atlas Heche Tupper. She and Tupper never married and instead remained "eternally engaged" until their sudden separation.
During their time together, she appeared in several projects like "Hung," "Save Me," "Aftermath," "The Brave," and more. She also devoted much of her time to raising her two boys.
On August 5, 2022, Heche got into a terrible car crash. Her blue Mini Cooper crashed into a house shortly before 11:00 a.m., and it took 59 firefighters to rescue her from the scene.
According to investigators, this was her third crash in the span of 30 minutes. The third one was so catastrophic that she wasn't able to make it out easily.
Firefighters fought to stop the flames from spreading to the damaged house and tried their best to contain it as soon as possible so they could take the victim, who was later identified as Heche, to the nearest hospital.
Initially, the actress' team told fans she was in stable condition. A day after making the statement, however, they said she slipped into a coma, in "extreme critical condition."
By August 12, a week since the accident, her representative said that while her heart was still beating, she was considered brain dead.
Being brain dead was the definition of death according to California law, but because Heche’s organs were to be donated, they did not take her off life support so they could find organ recipients.
Heche's family, especially her two children, were devastated by the loss. Of everything she's ever done, her biggest legacy remained her children. She'd often gush about them on social media, once saying:
"It's so hard to explain how wonderful it is to look in the eyes of a child that you're blessed with.”
The actress' last Instagram post was of her looking radiantly beautiful in a video she took of herself, showing off her surroundings.
Anne Heche, son Atlas, and son Homer attend Disney On Ice Presents Let's Celebrate! Presented By Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt Celebrity Premiere & Skating Party at Staples Center on December 11, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
In May 2022, she also shared a photo with her two sons, calling herself the "luckiest mom." The photo marked the last time her two children were ever seen together.
In fact, her ex-boyfriend James Tupper claimed her two sons had not seen each other or spoken to one another since their mother's death. This was likely because of the estate battle that ensued between them.
James Tupper and actress Anne Heche attend the Season 2 premiere of HBO's "Hung" at Paramount Theater on the Paramount Studios lot on June 23, 2010 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
A Battle for Heche's Estate
Before making any legal moves, Homer Laffoon, Heche's eldest son, was spotted with two young women in his home. He walked his female friends out the door while his mother was confined at the hospital following her horrific car crash.
Just a month after Heche’s death, her son Homer and ex-boyfriend Tupper battled it out in court regarding who would have control over Heche's estate.
James Tupper, Atlas Heche Tupper and Heather Duffy Boylston attend the Celebration for Anne Heche with a reading of "Call Me Anne" by Heather Duffy at Barnes & Noble at The Grove on January 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Homer filed a petition as early as August, requesting to be appointed as the “special administrator” of his mother's estate. Meanwhile, Tupper claimed that he was the rightful executor thanks to an e-mail sent by Heche to her lawyer, Kevin York, in 2011.
The e-mail allegedly read: "My wishes are that all of my assets go to the control of Mr. James Tupper to be used to raise my children and then given to my children." In his own court petition, he stated that Homer was not fit to represent the late actress' estate, as he was both young and unemployed.
Tupper then claimed that Homer changed the locks on his mom's home the day that he died, preventing his younger brother, Atlas, from getting his things. This claim remained unanswered, but the court eventually ruled in favor of Homer, who was appointed special administrator of the estate.
Henry Boylston, Heather Duffy Boylston, Beanie Boylston and Atlas Heche Tupper attend the Celebration for Anne Heche with a reading of "Call Me Anne" by Heather Duffy at Barnes & Noble at The Grove on January 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
In March 2023, Homer revealed the actress left behind $110,000 in savings, including $33,000 worth of uncashed checks from several Hollywood studios, including NBC, Warner Brothers, Disney, and Paramount.
The eldest son of the late actress found these checks while sweeping through his mother's home. These were only some of the valuable assets being put together by Homer to be presented to the LA Superior Court Probate Judge, Lee Bogdanoff.
During this time, Tupper, through his attorney, implied that about $200,000 worth of jewelry was missing from Heche's home. When asked if he was claiming that fraud or embezzlement took place, he told the judge that he felt Homer didn't do a good job securing his mother's apartment quickly enough after her death.
The judge dismissed his allegation, saying it "does not make sense." Tupper valued Heche's assets to be at around $1.6 million, which in reality, was only at $400,000 when Homer calculated everything.
Heche's Children Allegedly Don't See Each Other
While Heche's eldest son Homer is heavily involved in his mother's estate, not much has been heard from her youngest, Atlas. In January 2023, he released his first statement since his mother's death.
Despite everything going on, Atlas and Homer have not been seen together, nor have they acknowledged each other publicly.
In his tribute, Atlas called his mom the "brightest person he's ever known." He went on to describe his mother's ability to always know how to solve a problem or help a friend – she always knew the right thing to do.
The tribute came after Heche's eldest son Homer announced the final book written by the late actress titled "Call Me Anne." He said he never imagined ever having to handle his mother's Instagram account.
Homer also noted the grieving process when it came to his mom's death. He said that while the process was going to be a long one, he was taking things one day at a time.
Two months later, in March, Homer celebrated his 21st birthday. He marked the special milestone with a trip to San Francisco with his father.
A fan's show of support to Homer on Instagram. | Source: Instagram.com/homerheche
A fan's show of support to Homer on Instagram. | Source: Instagram.com/homerheche
By then, Homer had also taken responsibility for Heche's Instagram account, where he wrote a touching tribute to all those who sent love and support their way following the actress' death. It was also there that he announced that a new book was coming soon.
In one of Homer's Instagram posts, a kind fan wrote about the impact Heche had on his life. "Your mom helped me and enriched my life so much. You are not alone, I'm in deep grief as well In my own family. Take care of yourself because she's watching!" it read.
A fan's show of support to Homer on Instagram. | Source: Instagram.com/homerheche
Despite everything going on, Atlas and Homer have not been seen together, nor have they acknowledged each other publicly. Fans are eagerly waiting for a sweet reunion to happen between the two brothers, who were last spotted together in the May 2022 photo posted by their late mom.
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