It was arguably the most popular and controversial soap of the ’90s.
And while Melrose Place was best known for characters like Heather Locklear’s Amanda Woodward and Thomas Calabro’s Dr Michael Mancini, there were some Australian guest stars that left quite an impression on viewers.
Andrew Williams, now 58, is best remembered for playing Jane Mancini’s cheating Australian boyfriend, Chris Marchette.
Where are they now? Melrose Place was arguably the most popular and controversial soap of the ’90s. (Pictured: Marcia Cross, Laura Leighton, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga, Josie Bissett, Kristin Davis)
He joined in season three, playing a handsome fashion designer who sweeps Jane off her feet and offers to buy a stake of her clothing company.
However, in one of the villainous twists that the show was known for, Chris was actually a conman and gambling addict who was trying to scam Jane.
To make matters worse, he was secretly sexually harassing Jane’s troubled younger sister, Sydney Andrews, and later encouraged Jane to have her locked up in an asylum.
Flashback: Andrew Williams, 57, is best remembered for playing Jane Mancini’s cheating Australian boyfriend, Chris Marchette. (Pictured 1994)
After using his mob connections to force Sydney to sleep with him, Chris eventually kidnapped her in Las Vegas before blowing all the money he stole from Jane on expensive gifts and gambling.
Besides Melrose Place, Andrew also starred on E Street and Neighbours.
However, these days he leads a much different life compared to his time as a soap heartthrob.
Andrew is now a practising Buddhist and dharma teacher who has devoted his life to spiritual fulfilment.
Memorable: In one scene, Chris attempted to marry Jane in Las Vegas, only to have her ex-husband Michael Mancini and Dr Kimberly Shaw crash the nuptials. (Pictured 1994)
Bad times: Chris’ character was secretly sexually harassing Jane’s troubled younger sister Sydney Andrews. (Pictured 1994)
He’s also a singer-songwriter who performs spiritual, faith-based music inspired by Buddha.
In a recent interview with The Production Meeting podcast, Andrew admitted that he grew ‘sick of’ life in the limelight which eventually led to his religious awakening.
He also said that his Melrose Place character was originally brought on as a ‘nice guy’, but after a few episodes the writers asked him to play Chris as a villain.
Inner peace: Andrew is now a practising Buddhist and dharma teacher who has devoted his life to spiritual fulfilment. (Pictured in recent years)
Tranquillity: In a recent interview, Andrew admitted that he grew ‘sick of’ life in the limelight which eventually led to his religious awakening. (Pictured in recent years)
Andrew wasn’t the only Australian star on Melrose Place, with actress Antoinette Byron playing a short but memorable role as Jo Reynolds’ evil nanny.
In one of the most shocking storylines on the show, Jo falls pregnant to Reed Carter, a drug dealer who she eventually kills in self defence after being kidnapped at sea.
Reed’s parents then file for custody of her unborn child, which leads Jo to strike a deal with Dr Kimberly Shaw to fake a miscarriage and have the baby in secret so she can keep it.
Evil: Andrew wasn’t the only Australian star on Melrose Place, with actress Antoinette Byron playing a short but memorable role as Jo Reynolds’ evil nanny. (Pictured 1994)
Shocking: One of the show’s most iconic storylines saw Kimberly steal Jo’s baby. (Pictured 1994)
However, in a shocking twist, Kimberly steals baby Austin for herself and convinces everybody that Jo is crazy.
Once Jo eventually gets Austin back, a vengeful Kimberly tells Reed’s parents that their grandson is still alive.
The Carters then hire Antoinette to pose as Jo’s nanny so she can kidnap Austin back for them.
Giving back: These days, Antoinette is now working as a professional acting teacher and voice coach. (Pictured in recent years)
Jo is eventually shot trying to get her baby back, before she eventually gives the Carters custody to end the ordeal.
These days, Antoinette is now working as a professional acting teacher and voice coach.
Outside of Melrose Place, fans will remember her for playing Natalie Nash on Home and Away and Laura Fielding on E Street.
Ageless: Antoinette shows off her stunning beauty in a showreel from 2012