Melrose Place Star Reflects on Fame's Toll and Leaving the Hit Show

In a recent interview, former Melrose Place star Andrew Shue opened up about his time on the hit 90s drama series. Shue, who played Jake Hanson for the show's first five seasons, says he had a "good sense" the series would be successful given creator Aaron Spelling's previous success with Beverly Hills, 90210.

However, Shue explains the show's initial "intention" was "a lot nicer and sweeter," but it wasn't until Heather Locklear joined the cast that it became the "backstabbing" hit it was known for. Shue admits he did not expect Melrose Place to become the "pop culture wildfire" it did.

While Shue says being on a hit show was "really fun," he also experienced the downsides of fame, feeling he and others "started to lose [their] humanity" as fans saw them only as their characters, not as real people. This ultimately led Shue to leave the show in 1997, two years before it ended.

Shue says he felt Spelling was "trying to keep [him] down" and interfered with other job opportunities outside of Melrose Place. Despite their "run-ins," Shue says he "literally cried" when Spelling passed away in 2006, showing the lasting impact the show and its creator had on him.