(Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)
Actress and media personality Tawny Kitaen has passed away. Born Julie Kitaen, the 59-year-old became an icon in the 1980s and is most famous for appearing on Ratt album covers and several Whitesnake videos including “Here I Go Again,” “Still of the Night,” and “The Deeper the Love.” Kitaen was found dead at her Newport Beach home on Friday morning and a cause of death has not been revealed.
Kitaen’s acting career was highlighted by starring in the Tom Hanks 1984 comedy Bachelor Party and 1986’s Witchboard. She also appeared in the films White Hot and Dead Tides. As far as television goes, she had a memorable appearance on Seinfeld‘s 1991 episode “The New Job” as one of Jerry Seinfeld’s girlfriends. She also appeared on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, The New WKRP in Cincinnati, and co-hosted America’s Funniest People for two years. Later in life, Kitaen found herself on several reality shows including The Surreal Life and Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.
Kitaen’s romantic life kept her in many headlines. She dated Ratt guitarist Robbin Crosby and was on the cover of the band’s debut EP and first album Out of the Cellar. She was then married to Whitesnake singer David Coverdale for two years until they divorced in 1991. Her second marriage was to baseball player Chuck Finley, which lasted from 1997 to 2002. She had two daughters with Finley. Later in life, Kitaen struggled with personal demons as she was arrested several times for issues with drugs and alcohol.
ComingSoon.net expresses our condolences to Tawny Kitaen’s friends and family during this difficult time.