You’ve probably seen the photos. That striking blonde hair, the piercing blue eyes, and that unmistakable Hollywood glow. It is almost spooky how much Ava Sambora looks like her mother, Melrose Place legend Heather Locklear. But if you’re looking for a massive list of Ava Sambora movies and TV shows, you might be surprised to find the list is actually kinda short.
She didn't exactly flood the gates of Hollywood like other "nepo babies." Instead, she took a path that honestly makes a lot of sense when you look at the chaos that often follows child stars.
The Early Days: From Judd Apatow to Disney Channel
Ava's entry into acting wasn't exactly a struggle. When your dad is Richie Sambora (the guy from Bon Jovi) and your mom is Heather Locklear, people tend to take your calls. Her first "big" moment came in 2012. She was just a teenager when she landed a role in the Judd Apatow comedy This Is 40.
If you blink, you might miss her, but she played Wendy, the best friend of Sadie (Maude Apatow). It was a small "teenager being a teenager" role, but it showed she had that natural, easy-going screen presence. Her mom later told People that Ava just hopped on her mark and nailed it like she'd been doing it for years.
Then came the Disney era. Sorta.
In 2013, she popped up in the hit show Good Luck Charlie. This was actually a pretty cool bit of casting. She played "Future Charlie" in a flash-forward episode called "Futuredrama." Basically, she was the teenage version of Mia Talerico’s character, watching video diaries from the past. It's one of those "Oh, that was her?" moments for fans who grew up on the Disney Channel.
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Breaking Down the Filmography
Honestly, Ava's career has been more about quality (and variety) than quantity. She hasn't been in a hundred projects, but the ones she picked were diverse.
- This Is 40 (2012): Her film debut as Wendy.
- Good Luck Charlie (2013): Playing the future version of Charlie Duncan.
- SummerBreak 3 (2015-2016): A reality series that followed a group of LA kids during their final summer before college. This was more of a "social media" move than a scripted acting gig, but it kept her in the public eye.
- Mommy Be Mine (2018): This was her first real leading role. It’s a Lifetime-style thriller where she played Summer, a girl whose life gets messy after her friend goes missing and she finds herself targeted by a twisted mother figure.
- Fresh Off the Boat (2018): She had a guest spot as "Holly" in an episode titled "Workin' the 'Burbs."
- A Dark Foe (2020): A more intense, indie thriller where she played a character named Elise.
It seemed like she was building momentum. But then, things got quiet on the IMDB front.
Why the acting stopped (mostly)
Here’s the thing most people get wrong about Ava. They assume she "failed" at acting or couldn't get work. In reality, she just shifted gears in a big way. While everyone expected her to be the next big "it girl" on a CW drama, she was actually hitting the books.
Ava graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in psychology. Then, she went even further. In 2023, she earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from USC. Her dad, Richie, told People in early 2024 that she’s "killing it" and is even considering going for a doctorate.
It’s pretty refreshing, right? In a town where everyone is desperate for fifteen minutes of fame, she decided she’d rather help people navigate their mental health.
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Modeling: The Other Side of the Coin
While her acting credits are sparse, her modeling career has been pretty steady. She started young, walking the runway for her dad’s clothing line, White Trash Beautiful, back in 2010. Since then, she’s done a ton of bikini and lifestyle shoots.
She has that classic California look that brands like Baes and Bikinis absolutely love. If you follow her on Instagram, you know she’s basically a permanent fixture on the beach. But even with the modeling, she seems to treat it as a side hustle rather than her entire identity.
What’s Next for Ava Sambora?
As of 2026, the big news in Ava's life isn't a new Netflix pilot. It's her personal life. She recently got engaged to her long-time boyfriend, Tyler Farrar.
Will we ever see her back in movies or TV shows? Maybe. She’s mentioned in interviews that she’d love to do a romantic comedy—something in the vein of Jennifer Aniston on Friends or Rachel McAdams in The Notebook. She even joked about wanting a role on the Dynasty reboot since her mom was such a huge part of the original.
But for now, it looks like she’s focused on:
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- Clinical Practice: Finishing those hours for her MFT license.
- Wedding Planning: Enjoying that "newly engaged" glow.
- Family: Staying close to her parents and supporting them through their own ups and downs.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you're following Ava's career or looking to build one yourself, there are a few takeaways here:
- Diversify your skills: Ava didn't just rely on her looks or her last name; she got a high-level education that gives her a career path outside of the volatile entertainment industry.
- Small roles matter: Her appearance in This Is 40 is still talked about over a decade later. Every "mark" you hit counts.
- It's okay to pivot: You don't have to do what everyone expects you to do. Transitioning from actress to therapist is a massive change, but it's clearly made her happy.
If you're looking to watch her work, start with Mommy Be Mine to see her acting range, or track down the "Futuredrama" episode of Good Luck Charlie for a hit of nostalgia. She might not be on every billboard in 2026, but Ava Sambora is clearly living life on her own terms.
To stay updated on her latest moves, you're better off checking academic journals or her social media than the Hollywood trade papers. She’s officially traded the script for the sofa—the therapist's sofa, that is.
Next Steps:
If you're interested in more "where are they now" stories of 2010s child stars, you should check out the current projects of the rest of the Good Luck Charlie cast. Most of them have taken equally surprising paths in the last decade.