He blamed his affair with Tawny Kitaen on the fact that Nicole got fat when she was pregnant and he didn't want to have sex with her,' Nicole's friend said. in California. 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! 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. Tawny Kitaen was unforgettable star of rock music videos in the '80s. TAWNY KITAEN'S BROTHER RECALLS STAR SURPRISING HIS COLLEGE FRAT AT '80S PARTY: 'A ROCK AND ROLLER AT HEART'. Actress Tawny Kitaen has died at the age of 59, according to TMZ.com. On October 20, 2021, the Orange County Sheriffs Department determined her cause of death to be dilated cardiomyopathy. [23] Police reported that nothing at the scene indicated alcohol or drugs as a factor in the death. All rights reserved. 'Thank you my darling, thank you so much for your picture you drew of me,' she tweeted Thursday . 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. The site also shared that there were other contributing factors at play including clogged arteries, antidepressants, sedatives, Tylenol, nerve pain medication, and opioids. 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. However, according to the spokesman, other significant conditions and substances included: mild coronary atherosclerosis; mirtazapine, mirtazapine metabolite, alprazolam, acetaminophen, pregabalin, and hydrocodone. The actress struggled with addiction issues for . Link copied. Aside from her work, Kitaen's personal life often hit headlines with rumors of an affair with OJ Simpson, a history of cocaine addiction, allegations of domestic abuse and brushes with the law. (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. Kitaen in a mugshot in 2002 after she was accused of hitting then-husband Chuck Finley. Everything under the sun could have caused this, according to a spokesman - including acetaminophen. ((Photo by Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images)). Nicole reportedly learned of the affair and confronted OJ who savagely beat her, the book says. 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. We miss her and love her and we know her legacy will live on forever. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Actress Tawny Kitaen arrives at the premiere of Relativity Media's 'Take Me Home Tonight' at the Regal Cinemas LA Live Stadium 14 on March 2, 2011, in Los Angeles, California (Getty Images) Tawny Kitaen and David Coverdale. [31], On July 22, 2019, Kitaen was again arrested for DUI in Newport Beach. Another tweeted: 'Tawny, you were always nice to me when we interacted on Twitter. "We just want to say thank you for all of you, her fans and her friends, for always showing her such support and love. You gave her life everyday. In the meanwhile, messages of sympathy to her family and friends for their loss poured in. ACTRESS Tawny Kitaen starred in a number of hit movies in the 1980s including, Bachelor Party, and passed away back in May of 2021. 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. It took months for Tawny Kitaen's cause of death to be released. Tawny Kitaen's death at 59 was the result of dilated cardiomyopathy, a common heart disease, according to medical examiners. We miss her and love her and we know her legacy will live on forever. The Bachelor Party star died from dilated cardiomyopathy, TMZ reported Wednesday, citing the Orange County Coroners Office. Thanks for contacting us. The Orange County Sheriffs Department in California confirmed to several media outletsthat the star's cause of death was dilated cardiomyopathy, a common type of heart disease. Kitaen went on to allegedly have an affair with OJ Simpson when he was married to Nicole Brown Simpson. [30] The following July, she pleaded no contest to misdemeanor DUI and was sentenced to two days in jail, ordered to attend a first-offender alcohol program and required to perform 64hours of community service. The authorities said her two children were home at the time and that she had granted deputies permission for the search. The last time Kitaen tweeted was on Friday, May 7, to thank a fan for a drawing. Inside the forest palace 'Putin shares with his gymnast lover and their secret children': Luxury estate Tawny Kitaen's Brother Believes She Died of Broken Heart, Do not sell or share my personal information. . Julie E. "Tawny" Kitaen, who famously appeared in several music videos for the rock group Whitesnake in the '80s, has died. [27] In December 2006, Kitaen entered a six-month rehabilitation program in exchange for the dismissal of a felony drug-possession charge. Kitaen has spoken in the past about her troubles with substance abuse, particularly cocaine, opening up to Dr Drew on Celebrity Rehab. When TMZ originally reported Tawny's . 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Kitaen was arrested and charged withdomestic violence but the charges were later dismissed. I send my condolences to your family. Tawny Kitaen's daughters have broken their silence in the wake of her death Credit: Instagram/Tawny Kitaen. Their father died just one month earlier from skin cancer and Jordan told the outlet she was 'devastated' by his passing and that he thinks it was 'too much' for her system to handle. Aaron Rapoport / Getty Images file. [9], Kitaen modeled and appeared in television commercials for Jack LaLanne's European Health Spas in the early 1980s. Histological examination of the heart revealed isolated atrial myocarditis, with neutrophil and histiocyte predominance. In 1984, she starred as the title character of the erotic adventure movie The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik-Yak, also called Gwendoline. . ACTRESS Tawny Kitaen starred in a number of hit movies in the 1980s including, Bachelor Party, and passed away back in May of 2021. 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. #wordsmatter", "Celebrity Rehab 2 with Dr. Drew | Show Cast, Episodes, Guides, Trailers, Web Exclusives, Previews", "When Ratt Threw Rats at Tawny Kitaen for Their Album Cover Shoot", "Tawny Kitaen List of Movies and TV Shows", "Tawny Kitaen, '80s Music Video Vixen and 'Bachelor Party' Star, Dies at 59", "Celebs Check Into Rehab 2 With Dr. Drew", "Tawny Kitaen opines Robbin Crosby took his own life and declares that he was the love of her life", "Surprise letter: Nicole wrote O.J. We miss her and love her and we know her legacy will live forever.. She married Whitesnake singer David Coverdale in 1989, but the pair divorced two years later. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); October 21, 2021 | She had her first touch of fame as a teen before starring in movies and music videos, Beauty: Kitaen in 1994. They moved in together as teenagers when Crosby was in the band Phenomenon. She was 59. Kitaen, born Julie E. Kitaen, was identified as Tawny Finley by the coroner. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. She was dating the band's guitarist Robbin Crosby at the time. Kitaen publicly detailed her struggles with alcohol and substance abuse and had a criminal record that included a . She also appeared in the band's music video Back for More. Her road to fame began in 1976 when she starred in the game show To Tell the Truth as a teen. The cause of death has yet to be released. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Published October 22, 2021 Updated on October 22, 2021 . Simpson 'beat holy hell' out of her", 'National Enquirer Investigates' Reveals O.J. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. Her death was confirmed by her daughter Wynter Finley, who said the cause was not known . Fan support: Kitaen posted on social media just one day before her death, thanking a fan for a drawing, Past: Kitaen with Dave Coverdale of Whitesnake at the Fifth Annual MTV Video Music Awards in 1988. Tawny Kitaen in 1998. 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). Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "We are heartbroken and saddened to announce the . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Tawny Kitaen, 59, died at her home in Newport Beach, Calif. on Friday, May 7, 2021, according to the Orange County coroner's office. [4][5] She began using the nickname "Tawny" at the age of 12 on her own initiative. 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." 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. Her fans and her friends, for always showing her such support and love. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. She was a mainstay on MTV in the 1980s when it was at its peak cultural influence. [18][19] She appeared in the Season 4 Episode 12 of Botched, requesting that her breast implants be removed. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Some of Kitaen's most memorable onscreen appearances are from music videos for songs from the band Whitesnake in the 1980s. Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. BREAKING NEWS: TikTok will LIMIT screen time for users under-18 to 60 minutes a day - and they will be Meghan Markle was 'hugely disappointed' by life in the royal family and as a 'global superstar' she 'hated Parents' fury as schools STILL won't tell them if they are closed tomorrow as teacher strikes continue. Kitaen died at 8 a.m. on May 7 the coroner's office reported, but no official cause of death . 0:47. On May 8, 2021, rumors spread on the internet about the death of actor Tawny Kitaen, who was known for her work in rock music videos of the 1980s. Inspired by the celeb lifestyle, she dropped out of high school and moved to LA. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. ", RELATED GALLERY: Celebrities Who've Died in 2021. She married and divorced twice - Whitesnake singer David Coverdale and baseball star Chuck Finley - and had two children. I will miss our talks about everything from painting, decorating, music and our daughters RIP sweetheart,' wrote another. [6] As a child, she struggled with dyslexia, which led to her to drop out of Mission Bay High School. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! We've received your submission. Jordan said his sister had many talents. 7:56am | Updated October 21, 2021 | 10:48am. The actress, model, and 1980s music video vixen died in Newport Beach, California on May 7, 2021, at age 59. ', The comments below have not been moderated, By Topline. 'Bachelor Party' actress and 'Here I Go Again' music video star, dies at 59, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 'Thank you my darling, thank you so much for your picture you drew of me,' she tweeted Thursday, alongside the sketch. The star had a tumultuous personal life. The cause of Tawny Kitaen's death has been confirmed as heart disease, with the Orange County Coroner's Office also saying contributing factors included clogged arteries and opioids [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. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. The manner of death was ruled natural today by the Orange County Sheriff's Dept. 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. The spokesman said othe The Orange County Sheriff's Department . All rights reserved. TAWNY KITAEN'S BROTHER ENCOURAGED STAR TO STRENGTHEN HER FAITH BEFORE DEATH: 'SHE WASN'T GREAT BY HERSELF', Tawny Kitaen died on May 7 at age 59. She was 59 years old when she died at her home in Newport Beach, California. She then bagged a role in the 1983 TV show Malibu playing Mahoneys girlfriend. Example video title will go here for this video. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Melissa Roberto covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. . 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. I've always felt that that's what's always gotten me through difficult times. Kitaen had more recent roles in the comedy TV series "Moms Anonymous" and the miniseries "Large @ Life." The vixen was alsofeatured in a few classic music videos, notably Whitesnakes Is This Love and Here I Go Again.. Kitaen also made a name for herself in the music industry. Kitaen, perhaps best known for her role in "Bachelor Party," died on May 7 in her home in Newport Beach, Calif. 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