1980s music video glam gal Tawny Kitaen dead at 59
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By Jared Leone, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
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.
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)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 1987: Rocker David Coverdale of the rock group "Whitesnake" poses with his girlfriend, Tawny Kitaen, at the 1987 MTV Music Awards at Universal City, California. Kitean made a name for herself in the 1980s by appearing in several "Whitesnake" videos. (George Rose/Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 1988: Musician Dave Coverdale of Whitesnake and model/actress Tawny Kitaen attend the fifth annual MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, 1988, at Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, California. (Ron Galella, Ltd/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 1993: Model/actress Tawny Kitaen attends the wedding of Donald Trump and Marla Maples on December 20, 1993, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 1994: Tawny Kitaen on November 17, 1994. (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 1995: Model/actress Tawny Kitaen attends the Make-A-Wish Foundation Dinner/Dance Benefit on May 10, 1995, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 2002: A mug shot of actress Tawny Kitaen is seen April 1, 2002, In Newport Beach, California. Kitaen was charged with two misdemeanor counts of spousal abuse and battery after being accused of hitting her husband, Cleveland Indians pitcher Chuck Finley. (U.S. Army/Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 2003: Actress Actress Tawny Kitaen (left) and her daughter, Wynter Finley, attend Yellow Ribbon Sunday at Will Rogers Memorial Park on April 6, 2003, in Beverly Hills, California. The event was organized by Alana Stewart, Lorna Luft and Ann Turkel to show support for the troops in Iraq by wrapping trees with yellow ribbons. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 2011: Actors Topher Grace (left) and Tawny Kitaen pose at the after party for the premiere of Relativity Media's "Take Me Home Tonight" at the Conga Room on March 2, 2011, in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 2015: Actors Jenica Bergere and Tawny Kitaen arrive for the red carpet premiere screening for Amazon's first original drama series "Bosch" at the Dome at Arclight Hollywood on February 3, 2015, in Hollywood, California. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 2018: Tracey Gold, Jeremy Miller and Tawny Kitaen attend the 2018 STL Pop Culture Con at St. Charles Convention Center on August 19, 2018, in St. Charles, Missouri. (Bobby Bank/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.
“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.