Heffner graduated from Northwestern University. After graduation, he moved to Los Angeles and met Garry Marshall, who cast him in Young Doctors in Love (1982). Heffner also appeared in the films Flashdance (1983), The Woman in Red (1984), Runaway Train (1985), Spellbinder (1988) and When Harry Met Sally (1989). Heffner has appeared in numerous television series such as the CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement (2010), as well as television pilots, guest spots, commercials and more films. He played the role of 'shadowy government operative' in the 2014 movie Red Sky.