Celebrity Extra: Eric Stoltz
By Dana Jackson
Q: What ever happened to the actor Eric Stoltz? The last film I saw him in was "Pulp Fiction." I just recently learned that he was the original star of "Back to the Future" before Michael J. Fox was cast instead. -- C.F.
A: Even though his star status isn't as high as it was in the '80s, Eric Stoltz is still acting. It had to be devastating for him to be replaced as the lead in the blockbuster hit film "Back to the Future," but he's still carved out an impressive career. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for the role of Rocky Dennis, a teen who suffered from a physically altering genetic disorder in the 1985 film "Mask." A few years later, he starred in the John Hughes' film "Some Kind of Wonderful."
Eric Stoltz as Lance in "Pulp Fiction" (1994). Photo Credit: Courtesy of Miramax Films
In television, Stoltz was a regular on "Chicago Hope" and "Madame Secretary." However, he undoubtedly regrets turning down the meaty role of corrupt police officer Vic Mackey on "The Shield," for which Michael Chiklis won an Emmy. He does, however, have two upcoming films -- the horror flick "The Autopsy of Albert Kemper" and the musical drama "Original Sound."
Q: Why is there a different actor playing the son on "Boston Blue" than the actor who was on "Blue Bloods"? -- M.M.
A: In July 2025, People magazine confirmed that Andrew Terraciano, who grew up playing Sean Reagan on "Blue Bloods," wouldn't be returning for its spin-off. Brandon Margolis, a showrunner for "Boston Blue," stated, "Once we realized we were telling a very new chapter in this character's life, creatively it made sense to find an actor with a different energy." Enter Mika Amonsen in the role of Donnie Wahlberg's character's son, who is now a patrolman with the Boston Police Department.
Amonsen hopes that in time, more viewers will accept him in the role. He did his homework by bingeing episodes of "Blue Bloods," telling People that he "really [wants] to maintain Sean as close as [he] can ... out of respect for this character that everyone loves -- but also the character Andrew built."
"Boston Blue" is Amonsen's first role as a series regular. Prior to this, he had a guest-starring role on numerous primetime shows, including "Reacher" and "Designated Survivor." As for his predecessor, Terraciano was just 7 years old when he was cast as a young Sean Reagan. He has since graduated from New York University and is interested in continuing his acting career.
Q: Is it true that Heather Locklear and Lorenzo Lamas are dating? It's nice to see him with someone age-appropriate, if so. -- E.A.
A: Yes, it's true that 68-year-old Lorenzo Lamas ("Falcon Crest") and 64-year-old Heather Locklear ("Melrose Place") have found each other, and it doesn't appear to be a publicity stunt.
Locklear ended her five-year engagement to her high school sweetheart Chris Heisser, and Lamas' last marriage (his fifth) ended in 2018. Sources told gossip mag TMZ that the couple's adult children were planning to meet soon for the first time. Here's to the former soap stars finding everlasting happiness in their golden years!
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
(c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.