While studying acting in New York with drama teacher William Esper, Heaton made her Broadway debut in the gospel musical "Don't Get God Started." She and her fellow students then formed Stage Three, an acting company that produced plays Off-Broadway. They took one production, "The
Johnstown Vindicator," to Los Angeles, where Heaton's performance
caught the eyes of casting directors. Consequently, Heaton portrayed
the producer/daughter in the television series Room for Two (1992). Her additional television credits include a starring role in the series Someone Like Me (1994), a regular role in Women of the House (1995), and a recurring role on Die besten Jahre (1987). She also starred in the highly rated television movie Wunden der Vergangenheit (1997), with
Della Reese. Her feature film credits include Jagd auf einen Unsichtbaren (1992), Ein Hund namens Beethoven (1992), Der große Frust (1994) and Space Jam (1996).
For her role in Alle lieben Raymond (1996), Heaton won 2 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She was nominated for a 1999 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and won the 1998-99 Viewers for Quality Television Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Award.
Heaton was born in Cleveland and lives with her husband, David Hunt, and their four sons in Los Angeles.
