Kitaen, the sultry red-haired actress who appeared in rock music videos during they heyday of MTV, has died. Kitaen was briefly married to Coverdale, with their marriage ending in 1991. The last time Kitaen tweeted was on Friday, May 7, to thank a fan for a drawing. Kitaen was born in San Diego, California in 1961. Kitaen is best known for her appearances in rock music videos and for her role in the 1984 hit movie Bachelor Party where she starred alongside Tom Hanks. In the 2000s, Kitaen transitioned into appearing on reality television series, including The Surreal Life (2006) and Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew (2008), the latter of which documented Kitaen's issues with substance abuse. Tawny Kitaen's death at 59 was the result of dilated cardiomyopathy, a common heart disease, according to medical examiners. She also appeared in the band's music video Back for More. After that, she went on to star in three other music videos for the band. Featured on the back of the program for Tawny's service was a painting she did herself. Her Twitter profile states, "Once a Vid Vix!". She also starred in an episode of Seinfeld. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. In addition to Bachelor Party, Kitaen starred in the 1984 French cult classic The Perils of Gwendoline and 2014s After Midnight., Kitaen started her career on the game show To Tell the Truth in 1976 and eventually migrated to movies, where she achieved moderate success. [15], From February to July 1989, she appeared as Lisa DiNapoli on the daytime serial Santa Barbara. ", Tawny Kitaen:'Bachelor Party' actress and 'Here I Go Again' music video star, dies at 59, Kitaen starred alongside Tom Hanks in the 1984 comedy "Bachelor Party" as Hank'sbride-to-be, and she appeared in a 1991 episode of "Seinfeld" as Jerry Seinfeld's girlfriend. Tawny Kitaen, known for a variety of modeling and acting work, as well as her two high-profile marriages, has died at the age of 59. TAWNY KITAEN, JERRY SEINFELD HAD SECRET PAST ROMANCE THAT STARTED ON STUDIO SET: REPORT. She also starred as the fiancee to Tom Hanks' character in the 1984 comedy "Bachelor Party" and as Jerry Seinfeld's girlfriend in a 1991 episode of "Seinfeld. Kitaen died from dilated cardiomyopathy, a common type of . but a cause of death has not been revealed. [26], In November 2006, prosecutors charged Kitaen with possessing 15grams of cocaine in her San Juan Capistrano home in Orange County. 107,439, This story has been shared 79,136 times. She also starred in the comedies The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik-Yak and Bachelor Party (both 1984), and the horror film Witchboard (1986). In the meanwhile, messages of sympathy to her family and friends for their loss poured in. "We are heartbroken and saddened to announce the death of our mom," they wrote on Instagram. On October 20, 2021, the Orange County Sheriffs Department determined her cause of death to be dilated cardiomyopathy. [15][34][non-primary source needed] Kitaen's death was confirmed to The New York Times by her daughter Wynter Finley, who told the paper that the cause of death was not immediately known. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. She became the rock world's "video vixen" after appearing on the cover of two albums from the heavy metal band Ratt and starring in several music videos for Whitesnake, including the 1987 smash song "Here I Go Again." American actress, model, and media personality (19612021), The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik-Yak, "Tawny Kitaen, '80s rock video star and 'Bachelor Party' actress, dies at 59", "My parents! We've received your submission. Tawny Kitaen in 1998. Tributes started pouring in from fans Saturday as news of Kitaen's death broke. The couple split up in 2002 when he accused her of physically abusing him and kicking him in the face with her high heels. Kitaen, known for her roles in a number of80s music videos, died on May 7. The Orange County coroner's office has made public Tawny Kitaen's cause of death. Tawny Kitaen Died From Heart Disease with Opioids a Contributing Factor, Tawny Kitaen Family and Friends Celebrate Her Life with Intimate Ceremony, Tawny Kitaen's brother encouraged star to strengthen her faith before death: 'She wasn't great by herself' | Fox News. The actress and model died in May at 59 from heart disease, with opioid use as a contributing factor, TMZ . ", TAWNY KITAEN'S BROTHER ENCOURAGED STAR TO STRENGTHEN HER FAITH BEFORE DEATH: 'SHE WASN'T GREAT BY HERSELF'. Despite appearing in movies, Kitaen also starred in music videos Kitaen, known for her roles in a number of '80s music videos, died on May 7. The affair was revealed at Simpson's 1997 civil trial for wrongful death. The vixen was alsofeatured in a few classic music videos, notably Whitesnakes Is This Love and Here I Go Again.. Charlie Sheen, Denise Richards daughter Sami sizzles in new bikini pics, Halsey makes runway debut at Paris Fashion Week: Terrifying and amazing, All the celebs at Paris Fashion Week February-March 2023: Dua Lipa and more, Savannah Guthrie Rushed Out Of Today After Testing Positive For COVID-19 During Live Broadcast, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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[4][5] She began using the nickname "Tawny" at the age of 12 on her own initiative. Kitaen had more recent roles in the comedy TV series "Moms Anonymous" and the miniseries "Large @ Life." Tawny, known for her roles in a number of80s music videos, died on May 7. [10], Kitaen appeared on the cover of Ratt's debut EP Ratt (1983) and the band's debut Atlantic studio album Out of the Cellar (1984). 0:00. She was 59 years old when she died at her home in Newport Beach, California. Kitaen posted on social media just one day before her death, thanking a fan for a drawing. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Finley filed for divorce just three days later. Her cause of death has not been released. Websites CRASH as hundreds of thousands of families find out today A bargain fit for a king: Grade II-listed manor house complete with barn and gatehouse is listed at auction Who said black and white pics were flattering! He'll use her words against us. He was controversially acquitted but was later found responsible for the wrongful deaths of the two victims in a civil trial. Julie E. "Tawny" Kitaen, who famously appeared in several music videos for the rock group Whitesnake in the '80s, has died. Kitaen died at 8 a.m. on May 7 the coroner's office reported, but no official cause of death . Jordan said his sister had many talents. By Sarah Sotoodeh and Rachel Sharp For Dailymail.com, Published: 15:31 GMT, 12 May 2021 | Updated: 16:27 GMT, 12 May 2021. Kitaen went on to allegedly have an affair with OJ Simpson when he was married to Nicole Brown Simpson. Kitaen was best known for her starring role . The Orange County, Calif. coroner's office, which listed her as . After Coverdale, Kitaen married MLB player Chuck Finley. Link copied. Legal Statement. Nicole was brutally murdered in 1994 alongside Ron Goldman. She then bagged a role in the 1983 TV show Malibu playing Mahoneys girlfriend. According to Variety, she had several run-ins with the law, including a charge for cocaine possession in 2006 and driving under the influence in 2009. The marriage was rocky and it ended in 2002. She was 59. Jordan, who is the President and co-founder of Quixote Studios, said Tawny was incredibly close with her dad as the eldest child, with an 'uncanny connection' to him. RIP:Former child star and Bachelor Party actor Tawny Kitaen died aged 59 on Friday in Newport Beach, California. Tawny Kitaen died in May (Picture: Michael Tran/FilmMagic) Tawny Kitaen's cause of death has been revealed as dilated cardiomyopathy with the results . Histological examination of the heart revealed isolated atrial myocarditis, with neutrophil and histiocyte predominance. OJ admitted to the one-year affair during cross examination at his murder trial and said he had told Nicole about it when they split up. Video vixen Tawny Kitaen's official autopsy and toxicology records have been released. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Kitaen was also best-known for starring in Whitesnake's video for their hit song Here I Go Again. Kitaen publicly detailed her struggles with alcohol and substance abuse and had a criminal record that included a . Jordan said his sister had many talents. There were no signs that she took her own life, the outlet reported. Her daughters, Wynter and Raine, first confirmed their mother's death back in May on Kitaen's Instagram account. A spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff's . The former Whitesnake music video star and Bachelor Party . Kitaen then wed baseball starChuck Finley in 1997, but the former couple split in 2002 following his claims that she had repeatedly kicked him during a domestic dispute. Tawny Kitaens cause of death has been revealed. ", RELATED GALLERY: Celebrities Who've Died in 2021. We are heartbroken and saddened to announce the death of our mom, Kitaens daughters wrote on social media following their mothers passing. Other contributing factors to her death included mild coronary atherosclerosis and ingestion of mirtazapine, alprazolam, acetaminophen, pregabalin, and hydrocodone.[37]. He explained the actress, known to him by her birth name Julie, had been reeling from the loss of their father, who died in April. Blue still comes in as the sky goes a way. On Saturday, The Bachelor Party star's daughters Wynter, 28, and Raine, 22, thanked their late mother's friends and fans for their support. 2 likes. ACTRESS Tawny Kitaen starred in a number of hit movies in the 1980s including, Bachelor Party, and passed away back in May of 2021. The couple married in 1989 and split up two years later, Previous: Kitaen with second husband baseball star Chuck Finley and one of their daughters Winter in 1992. Days before, on May 7, Kitaen passed away at the age of 59. Jordan shared with Fox News how he encouraged Tawny to get closer to her faith prior to her passing. Published May 8, 2021. According to Fox News, the manner of death has been ruled "natural.". Her Twitter profile states, "Once a Vid Vix!". Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. "We just want to say thank you for all of you, her fans and her friends, for always showing her such support and love," a statement shared to Kitaen's social media pages read. However, according to the spokesman, other significant conditions and substances included: mild coronary atherosclerosis; mirtazapine, mirtazapine metabolite, alprazolam, acetaminophen, pregabalin, and hydrocodone. Tawny Kitaen, the actress best known for her role in Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), The Doobie Brothers announce 50th Anniversary Tour: Get tickets today, The 7 best home saunas of 2023, with expert tips on how to shop, This 2021 iPad is at its lowest price ever on Amazon, The viral lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag is back in stock UPDATED, The 20 best hair growth products that actually work, per experts. Kitaen was dating the band's guitarist Robbin Crosby at the time. 1986: Actress Tawny Kitaen poses for a portrait in Santa Monica, California ((Photo by Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images)). She was dating the band's guitarist Robbin Crosby at the time. The video, played repeatedly on the burgeoning music television network, featured Tawny performing cartwheels on the hood of a Jaguar. Leading up to her death, he recalled encouraging her to define her "higher power," a term used in Alcoholics Anonymous. The May death of actress and music video standout Tawny Kitaen was the result of heart disease and other factors, an autopsy for the star revealed. Kitaen was cremated; in late May, Kitaen's family and friends had a celebration of life for her at the Newport Beach home of her ex-husband, former MLB pitcher Chuck Finley, according to the outlet. Kitaen was born in San Diego, California, and caught the Hollywood bug at a young age. [16][17] She appeared on Seinfeld as Jerrys girlfriend in the 1991 episode "The Nose Job." She famously appeared in several music videos for Whitesnake, including "Here I Go Again," "Still of the Night," "Is This Love," and "The Deeper the Love." Many are mourning the death of actress and 1980s music video icon Tawny Kitaen. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. Kitaen was married to Whitesnake's frontman David Coverdale from 1989 to 1991. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. Her road to fame began in 1976 when she starred in the game show To Tell the Truth as a teen. Kitaen is listed on the coroner's office releases as "Tawny Kitaen Finley," and she was 59-years-old. Just a few weeks after Kitaen's death, her younger brother Jordan Kitaen spoke to Fox News about their tight bond and opened up about one of their last discussions before her passing. The claims of an affair surfaced in the 1994 book Nicole Brown Simpson: The Private Diary of a Life Interrupted by Faye Resnick. "You gave her life every day. Some of Kitaen's most memorable onscreen appearances are from music videos for songs from the band Whitesnake in the 1980s. Tawny Kitaen, 59, died at her home in Newport Beach, Calif. on Friday, May 7, 2021, according to the Orange County coroner's office. She married Whitesnake singer David Coverdale in 1989, but the pair divorced two years later. Tawny Kitaen in 2011. The Orange County Coroner's Office said that other factors in Kitaen's . View our online Press Pack. The star had a tumultuous personal life. Despite appearing in movies, Kitaen also starred in music videos for the hit band Whitesnake. Tawny Kitaen's cause of death revealed: Dilated cardiomyopathy. She married lead singerDavid Coverdale in 1989, but the marriage lasted only two years. We miss her and love her and we know her legacy will live on forever. She also had recurring parts in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and co-hosted America's Funniest People from 1992 to 1994. Besides movies, Kitaen was also well-known in the world of rock. ", Episodes: "The Wrong Path", "The Other Side", This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 04:39. ACTRESS Tawny Kitaen starred in a number of hit movies in the 1980s including, Bachelor Party, and passed away back in May of 2021. After that, she went on to star in three other music videos for the band. (Newport Beach, CA) Orange County coroners plan to conduct an autopsy next week to determine the exact cause of death of Tawny Kitaen. 'Bachelor Party' actress and 'Here I Go Again' music video star, dies at 59, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. They've been strong. Legal Statement. Woman is left 'looking like Rose West' thanks to unflattering Tory Eurosceptics could take TWO WEEKS to decide whether to back Rishi Sunak's Brexit deal for Northern Watch as shoplifter puts BACK products he's trying to steal after live CCTV hub tells him: 'You're being Is YOUR lifestyle good for your heart? tawny kitaen's cause of death revealed "We just want to say thank you for all of you, her fans and her friends, for always showing her such support and love. We just want to say thank you for [sic] all of you, her fans and her friends, for always showing her such support and love. Kitaen, perhaps best known for her role in "Bachelor Party," died on May 7 in her home in Newport Beach, Calif. She appeared on shows such as Seinfeld, The New WKRP in Cincinnati, Moms Anonymous and Santa Barbara, and in films including Bachelor Party, Witchboard and Happy Hour. Her close family and friends recently gathered for an intimate celebration to honor her life after she was cremated. In addition to her iconic dancing, she was a "proficient artist," he said. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Actress Tawny Kitaen Dies at 59; Starred in MTV Videos, 'Bachelor Party' Kitaen died at approximately 8 a.m., according to the Orange County coroner's office, which listed the incident as a . To be dilated cardiomyopathy, a common type of 's Instagram account Malibu! 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