Actress Julie E. "Tawny" Kitaen is dead at 59. [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. Video vixen Tawny Kitaen 's cause of death has been revealed. The actress, model, and 1980s music video vixen died in Newport Beach, California on May 7, 2021, at age 59. Roberts, 65, died . or redistributed. Her brother Jordan Kitaen believed that his sister died of a broken heart, according to TMZ. (Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images). Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Really my dads side, it's the Jew n me When it's really curly I call it my #Jewfro YES IM JEWISH PEOPLE! She appeared on the cover of metal band RATT's debut album and their 1984 album Out of the Cellar. By Sarah Sotoodeh and Rachel Sharp For Dailymail.com, Published: 15:31 GMT, 12 May 2021 | Updated: 16:27 GMT, 12 May 2021. 0:00. 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. 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. In addition to her iconic dancing, she was a "proficient artist," he said. The star had a tumultuous personal life. I've always felt like that would be a huge help in Julie's life to have a more robust spiritual connection," Jordan said at the time. Everything under the sun could have caused this, according to a spokesman - including acetaminophen. She married and divorced twice - Whitesnake singer David Coverdale and baseball star Chuck Finley - and had two children. [32] However, she died before the hearing could take place. , updated Tawny's loved ones held a small celebration of her life in late May that featured speeches from both of her daughters, as well as a musical performance of "Let It Be" by Jordan's 15-year-old son. Example video title will go here for this video. Speaking with Fox in May, Jordan noted that Tawny 'was close with her daughters' and 'they took [her death] extremely hard. Kitaen in a mugshot in 2002 after she was accused of hitting then-husband Chuck Finley. Furious motorist is fined 650 after council worker paints disabled bay around his parked car. 1986: Actress Tawny Kitaen poses for a portrait in Santa Monica, California ((Photo by Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images)). Her Twitter profile states, "Once a Vid Vix!". She was born Julie Kitaen in San Diego, California in 1961, the eldest of three children born to Linda Kitaen (ne Taylor), a housewife and one-time beauty pageant participant, and Terry Kitaen, an employee of a neon sign company. Tawny, known for her roles in a number of80s music videos, died on May 7. Kitaen is listed on the coroner's office releases as "Tawny Kitaen Finley," and she was 59-years-old. Other contributing factors to her death included mild coronary atherosclerosis and ingestion of mirtazapine, alprazolam, acetaminophen, pregabalin, and hydrocodone.[37]. The cause of death has yet to be released. ", Episode: "Who Killed Cock-a-Doodle Dooley? She began her career as a television actress, appearing in the television films Malibu (1983) and California Girls (1985). Kitaen was married to Whitesnake's frontman David Coverdale from 1989 to 1991. Kitaen, who was past wed to Whitesnake vocalist David Coverdale, made memorable appearances in the band's videos including Here I Go Again, Is This Love and The Deeper the Love. Kitaen died in her Newport Beach, California, home on the morning of May 7, according to a previous press release from the Orange County Coroner's Office, which listed her as Tawny Finley. Star: Tawny was incredibly close with her dad as the eldest child, with an 'uncanny connection' to him, Jordan said (pictured in October 2017 at The Hollywood Show held at Westin LAX Hotel), Throwback: Tawny Kitaen in the 1984 hit movie Bachelor Party where she starred alongside Tom Hanks, In recent years she has had stints on several reality shows including The Ex-Wives Club (pictured with Angie Everhart, Marla Maples and Shar Jackson on the show). Days before, on May 7, Kitaen passed away at the age of 59. Her daughters, Wynter and Raine, first confirmed their mother's death back in May on Kitaen's Instagram account. [21][22], She married Whitesnake singer David Coverdale in 1989; they divorced in 1991. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Kitaen was born Julie Kitaen on August 5, 1961, in San Diego, California. Born Julie Kitaen in San Diego, California on August 5, 1961, Kitaen was initially noticed in 1983 when she appeared on the cover of back-to . After that, she went on to star in three other music videos for the band. Kitaen also appeared on television including an episode of the hit series Seinfeld and reality shows including Botched, The Surreal Life, and Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. All rights reserved. A cause of death wasn't revealed. He told The Sun: "She called me in March and said, 'A lot of people would . 'But we sort of have circled the wagons around them. Inspired by the celeb lifestyle, she dropped out of high school and moved to LA. 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. 0:47. In a conversation between Tawny and Colin just months before her death, she allegedly revealed her biggest fear over the book's eventual release. 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." Tawny Kitaen's death at 59 was the result of dilated cardiomyopathy, a common heart disease, according to medical examiners. The manner of death was ruled natural. 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? . The Orange County Coroner's Office confirmed her death to Variety . As an American Jewish woman, I'm saddened. Actress Tawny Kitaen, who appeared in "Bachelor Party" and provocative 1980s rock videos, has died in California. [6] As a child, she struggled with dyslexia, which led to her to drop out of Mission Bay High School. "Just woke up to some very sad, unexpected news my sincere condolences to her children, her family, friends . In a January 2021 Instagram post a few months before her death, she claimed the experience inspired her to become an actress. Other TV credits included a stint as co-host of "America's Funniest People" and she appeared on the reality shows "The Surreal Life" and "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew," in which she revealed her struggle with substance abuse. [15], Kitaen dated Ratt guitarist Robbin Crosby during and after high school. You can change your choices at any time by visiting your privacy controls. Find out more about how we use your information in our privacy policy and cookie policy. A cause of death has not been publicly revealed. She was 59. Let the sky embrace me now, as my tears collect in the corner of my eyes. The actress struggled with addiction issues for . The Orange County coroner's office has made public Tawny Kitaen's cause of death. Kitaen garnered widespread recognition for her appearances in a number of heavy metal music videos, including Ratt's "Back for More" (1984) and Whitesnake's "Still of the Night", "Is This Love" and "Here I Go Again" (all 1987). On Saturday, The Bachelor Party star's daughters Wynter, 28, and Raine, 22, thanked their late mother's friends and fans for their support. You gave her life everyday. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Terms of Use Kitaen, known for her roles in a number of80s music videos, died on May 7. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. She started modeling in the early 1980s, appearing on album covers and in videos for hard-rock bands. Legal Statement. 'Thank you my darling, thank you so much for your picture you drew of me,' she tweeted Thursday . (Kevin Winter/Getty Images) The actress appeared in numerous TV and movie projects during her career, as well . Jordan said his sister had many talents. "We are heartbroken and saddened to announce the . Finley filed for divorce just three days later. ", "I'm shocked. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. The Stars of That '70s Show: Where Are They Now? On October 20, 2021, the Orange County Sheriff's Department determined her cause of death to be dilated cardiomyopathy. Kitaen was married to baseball player Chuck Finley from 1997 to 2002. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. On Saturday, The Bachelor Party star's daughters Wynter, 28, and Raine, 22 . Fox News' Melissa Roberto contributed to this report. Tawny Kitaen's cause of death revealed: Dilated cardiomyopathy. Nearly half of British viewers believe ethnic minorities and LGBT communities are over-represented on TV, Head over heels for Kate! Histological examination of the heart revealed isolated atrial myocarditis, with neutrophil and histiocyte predominance. The marriage was rocky and it ended in 2002. Besides movies, Kitaen was also well-known in the world of rock. She then starred in Whitesnakes Here I Go Again, Still of the Night, Is This Love and The Deeper the Love. 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. Tawny Kitaen in 1998. Kitaen was born in San Diego, California, and caught the Hollywood bug at a young age. Blue still comes in as the sky goes a way. Kitaen, who was a 1980s music video icon, died . Despite appearing in movies, Kitaen also starred in music videos 22:33 EST 20 Oct 2021 The manner of death was ruled natural. Kitaen then met and married baseball star Chuck Finley in 1997 and they had two children together - Wynter Merin Finley, 28, and Raine Finley, 22. We miss her and love her and we know her legacy will live forever.. ", TAWNY KITAEN'S BROTHER ENCOURAGED STAR TO STRENGTHEN HER FAITH BEFORE DEATH: 'SHE WASN'T GREAT BY HERSELF'. Jordan acknowledged Tawny sought recovery in the past for her struggles. A spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriffs Department in California confirmed to Fox News on Wednesday that the star's cause of death was dilated cardiomyopathy. Tawny's toxicology report shows she had mirtazapine, alprazolam, acetaminophen, pregabalin, and hydrocodone in her system. Legal Statement. Immunohistochemical C4d 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. I've always felt that that's what's always gotten me through difficult times. The video, played repeatedly on the burgeoning music television network, featured Tawny performing cartwheels on the hood of a Jaguar. "To me, my faith is central to who I am. Kitaen was best known as the sultry red-haired actress who appeared in rock music videos during the heyday of MTV. Her brother Jordan Kitaen believed that his sister died of a broken heart, according to TMZ. Some of Kitaen's most memorable onscreen appearances are from music videos for songs from the band Whitesnake in the 1980s. We miss her and love her and we know her legacy will live on forever. Kitaen was briefly married to Coverdale, with their marriage ending in 1991. [15], From February to July 1989, she appeared as Lisa DiNapoli on the daytime serial Santa Barbara. Kitaen was arrested and charged withdomestic violence but the charges were later dismissed. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Many are mourning the death of actress and 1980s music video icon Tawny Kitaen. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The Orange County Coroner's Office said that other factors in Kitaen's . More recently, she has had various stints on reality TV shows including Botched, The Surreal Life, Celebrity Rehab and The Ex-Wives Club. Prince Harry 'hated woke nonsense' and 'made jokes we are no longer allowed to make' before meeting Meghan, 'We met a Princess'! After Coverdale, Kitaen married MLB player Chuck Finley. [2] She also appeared in the second season of the VH1 reality TV show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, which began in October 2008. Published on May 8, 2021 05:45 PM. (WJW) A cause of death has been released for Julie E. "Tawny" Kitaen, whose appearance in numerous Whitesnake videos made her a sex symbol in the 1980s. Charged withdomestic violence but the charges were later dismissed acknowledged Tawny sought recovery in the early,. 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