NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Actress Tawny Kitaen, known for her vivacious roles in 1980s heavy metal music videos and the Tom Hanks comedy “Bachelor Party,” has died. She was 59.

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Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years Julie "Tawny" Kitaen, shown in this circa 1986 file photo, died May 7, 2021, at age 59. Here are some memorable photos of the actress through the years. (Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images)

Kitaen, whose real first name was Julie, died Friday at her home in Newport Beach, California, according to the Orange County Coroner’s Office. Her children, Wynter and Raine, confirmed her death Saturday on social media. Her cause of death has not been released.

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“We are heartbroken and saddened to announce the death of our mom. We just want to say thank you for all of you, her fans and friends, for always showing her such support and love. You gave her life everyday. We miss her and love her and we know her legacy will live on forever,” they wrote.

She appeared in the music video for the song “Back for More” by Ratt as well as two of the band’s album covers. She appeared in Whitesnake’s “Is This Love” and famously danced on the hoods of two Jaguar automobiles in “Here I Go Again.” She later married David Coverdale, the singer for Whitesnake. She was also married to baseball player Chuck Finley.

She later appeared on reality shows including “The Surreal Life” and “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.”

Coverdale was shocked by her death.

“Just woke up to some very sad, unexpected news … Waiting on confirmation … but, if it is true, my sincere condolences to her children, her family, friends and fans,” he said on social media.

Cox Media Group