Heineman was born in Chicago, Illinois. She later appeared in films
Fore Play (1975) and
The Lady in Red (1979). On television, she originated the role of Sharlene Frame Watts Matthews on the soap opera
Another World from 1975 to 77. She was awarded the
Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1978. Heineman starred in the made-for-television movies
Terror on the 40th Floor (1974),
Mad Bull (1977) and the miniseries
Loose Change (1978) also starring
Cristina Raines, and
Studs Lonigan (1979). She made guest appearances on
Kaz,
Lou Grant,
Hart to Hart,
The Incredible Hulk,
The Streets of San Francisco,
Rafferty, and
Law & Order. Heineman has appeared in
off-Broadway and
off-off-Broadway productions, and in theatrical productions around the nation, including comedies, dramas, and numerous Shakespearean productions. She was an original member of the improv group, "The Proposition", also starring
Fred Grandy and
Jane Curtin. In 2015, Heineman appeared as Constance M. Sweeney, a judge at the center of the clerical
sex abuse trials in the drama film,
Spotlight. Heineman teaches Shakespeare and other classics to home schoolers, and runs workshops at libraries and private events throughout New England and in New York City. Heineman is a board certified art therapist who brings spoken word events to seniors, and she is an experienced teacher, and the co-author of a book on teaching Shakespeare. ==Filmography==