After Coverdale, Kitaen married MLB player Chuck Finley. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Tawny's toxicology report shows she had mirtazapine, alprazolam, acetaminophen, pregabalin, and hydrocodone in her system. Kitaen's daughters Wynter and Raine Finley confirmed her death Saturday on social media. Legal Statement. [12], Kitaen joined the cast of the sixth edition of the VH1 reality television show The Surreal Life, which began airing in March 2006. The cause of death for 1980s rock music video star Tawny Kitaen was revealed on Wednesday five months after her death at age 59. The actor Tanya Roberts died from a urinary tract infection that developed into sepsis, an outcome that is more common than realized, especially among older women, doctors say. 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. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for May 18. The actress and model died in May at 59 from heart disease, with opioid use as a contributing factor, TMZ reported Wednesday. Jordan acknowledged Tawny sought recovery in the past for her struggles. He was controversially acquitted but was later found responsible for the wrongful deaths of the two victims in a civil trial. Simpson walked free after the 11-month trial which was streamed live on TV and closely followed by the nation. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. She then bagged a role in the 1983 TV show Malibu playing Mahoneys girlfriend. Fox News' Julius Young and The Associated Press contributed to this report. View our online Press Pack. All rights reserved. Just a few weeks after Kitaen's death, her younger brother Jordan Kitaen spoke to Fox News about their tight bond and opened up about one of their last discussions before her passing. [4][5] She began using the nickname "Tawny" at the age of 12 on her own initiative. By Sarah Sotoodeh and Rachel Sharp For Dailymail.com, Published: 15:31 GMT, 12 May 2021 | Updated: 16:27 GMT, 12 May 2021. Leading up to her death, he recalled encouraging her to define her "higher power," a term used in Alcoholics Anonymous. 10:31 EST 21 Oct 2021. The Orange County Coroner's Office said that other factors in Kitaen's May 7 death at her Newport Beach, California home were linked to antidepressants, opioids, clogged arteries, sedatives, Tylenol and nerve pain medication, TMZ reported. Kitaen got her break in the entertainment industry with the 1984 comedy Bachelor Party in which she played Debbie, the fiance to Tom Hanks' character Rick. 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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. 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. Her daughters, Wynter and Raine, first confirmed their mother's death back in May on Kitaen's Instagram account. The Orange County Coroner's Office told TMZ that Tawny died due to "dilated cardiomyopathy," the most common type of heart disease. When TMZ originally reported Tawny's . The couple wed in 1989 but the marriage was short-lived, with them parting ways in 1991. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Tawny Kitaen, 59, died at her home in Newport Beach, Calif. on Friday, May 7, 2021, according to the Orange County coroner's office. The Orange County coroner's office has made public Tawny Kitaen's cause of death. [20], Kitaen had a year-long affair with O. J. Simpson while he was married to Nicole Brown Simpson. She married Whitesnake singer David Coverdale in 1989, but the pair divorced two years later. She also starred in 1980s movies like "Witchboard" and "Crystal Heart.". Tawny, known for her roles in a number of80s music videos, died on May 7. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. The manner of death was ruled natural. Newport Beach actress and model Tawny Kitaen, best known for her roles in 1980s music videos and ex-wife of Whitesnake singer David Coverdale and former Angels pitcher Chuck Finley, died of heart . [28][29], On September 26, 2009, Kitaen was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Newport Beach, California. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); October 21, 2021 | Actress Julie E. "Tawny" Kitaen is dead at 59. [2] She also appeared in the second season of the VH1 reality TV show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, which began in October 2008. Kitaen passed away at 59 earlier thi Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Kitaen, 59, had a role in . The Orange County coroners office, which identified her as Tawny Finley, has not yet revealed a cause of death. More recently, she made appearances on reality shows The Surreal Life, Botched and a season of VH1's Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. She also appeared on the covers of two albums from the heavy metal band Ratt and starred in their "Back for More" music video. She started modeling in the early 1980s, appearing on album covers and in videos for hard-rock bands. More Videos. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. From there she went on to star in several films including Bachelor Party,After Midnight, The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik Yak, Witchboard, White Hot and Dead Tides. According to Fox News, the manner of death has been ruled "natural.". She also had a presence on reality TV, with appearances on shows including The Surreal Life and Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. but a cause of death has not been revealed. Days before, on May 7, Kitaen passed away at the age of 59. [26], In November 2006, prosecutors charged Kitaen with possessing 15grams of cocaine in her San Juan Capistrano home in Orange County. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, . She appeared on the cover of metal band RATT's debut album and their 1984 album Out of the Cellar. 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. 2 min read. "You gave her life every day. Tawny Kitaen, 59, died at her home in Newport Beach, Calif. on Friday, May 7, 2021, according to the Orange County coroner's office. ACTRESS Tawny Kitaen starred in a number of hit movies in the 1980s including, Bachelor Party, and passed away back in May of 2021. The Orange County coroner's office has made public Tawny Kitaen's cause of death. They both did great speaking at the service. She appeared on shows such as Seinfeld, The New WKRP in Cincinnati, Moms Anonymous and Santa Barbara, and in films including Bachelor Party, Witchboard and Happy Hour. Reputation management expert reveals why it doesn't just happen to How did Russia lose HALF of its 45,000 elite paratroopers in just seven months? Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. [10], Kitaen appeared on the cover of Ratt's debut EP Ratt (1983) and the band's debut Atlantic studio album Out of the Cellar (1984). Tawny Kitaen's cause of death was previously confirmed as dilated cardiomyopathy. After Coverdale, Kitaen married MLB player Chuck Finley. ACTRESS Tawny Kitaen starred in a number of hit movies in the 1980s including, Bachelor Party, and passed away back in May of 2021. We present autopsy findings of a 22-year-old man who developed chest pain 5 days after the first dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine and died 7 hours later. Aaron Rapoport / Getty Images file. Link copied. Kitaen, who was a 1980s music video icon, died . Around the age of 12, Kitaen gave herself the nickname "Tawny." She had a hard time at school because of her dyslexia, and . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Female carer who bit off part of a pub landlady's ear during vicious bar brawl is jailed for 14 months. The cause of death is not yet known. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The Orange County Coroner's Office confirmed her death to Variety . The Orange County, Calif. coroner's office, which listed her as . Speaking with Fox in May, Jordan noted that Tawny 'was close with her daughters' and 'they took [her death] extremely hard. However, according to the spokesman, other . Kitaen in a mugshot in 2002 after she was accused of hitting then-husband Chuck Finley. (Newport Beach, CA) Orange County coroners plan to conduct an autopsy next week to determine the exact cause of death of Tawny Kitaen. On October 20, 2021, the Orange County Sheriffs Department determined her cause of death to be dilated cardiomyopathy. 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. Kitaen, the sultry red-haired actress who appeared in rock music videos during they heyday of MTV, has died. Her Twitter profile states, "Once a Vid Vix!". Do Not Sell My Personal Information. They moved in together as teenagers when Crosby was in the band Phenomenon. 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. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. "We are heartbroken and saddened to announce the death of our mom," they wrote on Instagram. Other significant conditions included mild coronary atherosclerosis. The San Diego native was perhaps best known for her appearances in 1980s . Melissa Roberto covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. The actress, model, and 1980s music video vixen died in Newport Beach, California on May 7, 2021, at age 59. 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. actor and music video icon Tawny Kitaen", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tawny_Kitaen&oldid=1138710448, American people of Russian-Jewish descent, Participants in American reality television series, People from San Juan Capistrano, California, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Appeared between February 28, 1989, and July 21, 1989, Episode: "Real Life Henry Higgins Turns Dork into Duke! Kitaen was best known as the sultry red-haired actress who appeared in rock music videos during the heyday of MTV. Next up in 5. 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. #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. 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). For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Ed Sheeran reveals wife Cherry 'had a tumour' that could only be treated after birth of 2nd baby as he announces album, Kate Ferdinand reveals sex of second baby with Rio - but admits gender reveal party was 'a disaster', Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). We miss her and love her and we know her legacy will live on forever. Stressful start to National Offer Day? Julie Ellen "Tawny" Kitaen (August 5, 1961 May 7, 2021) was an American actress, model, and media personality. Tawny Kitaen's cause of death revealed 5 months later. 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. Market data provided by Factset. "We just want to say thank you for all of you. On Saturday, The Bachelor Party star's daughters Wynter, 28, and Raine, 22, thanked their late mother's friends and fans for their support. TMZ reported that she took part in a domestic violence counseling program as part of a plea deal after Finley alleged that she kicked him in the face with her high heels. 31,680, This story has been shared 31,565 times. "We just want to say thank you for all of you, her fans and her friends, for always showing her such support and love. The video, played repeatedly on the burgeoning music television network, featured Tawny performing cartwheels on the hood of a Jaguar. Roberts, 65, died . A cause of death has not been publicly revealed. Inspired by the celeb lifestyle, she dropped out of high school and moved to LA. The actress and model died in May at 59 from heart disease, with opioid use as a contributing factor, TMZ . EXCLUSIVE - Revealed: Carol Kirkwood's secret toyboy fianc - 13 years her junior - is a divorced police 'Digital antidepressants' to be rolled out on the NHS as health bosses give eight apps and web-based therapy BBC journalists vote 'overwhelmingly' to stage series of strikes in move that could sabotage corporation's 'This is the most ridiculous thing I've seen!' Her brother Jordan Kitaen told the outlet that the April 12 death of their father Terry from skin cancer overwhelmed her, as they were very close. Legal Statement. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Kitaen was born in San Diego, California, and caught the Hollywood bug at a young age. Kitaen's daughters Wynter and Raine said in a statement at the time of her passing, 'We just want to say thank you for all of you, her fans and her friends, for always showing her such support and love. [21][22], She married Whitesnake singer David Coverdale in 1989; they divorced in 1991. Kitaen, known for her roles in a number of '80s music videos, died on May 7. The Orange County Coroner's Office said that other factors in Kitaen's . (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. Really my dads side, it's the Jew n me When it's really curly I call it my #Jewfro YES IM JEWISH PEOPLE! Fox News' Melissa Roberto contributed to this report. 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 . In the 2000s, Kitaen transitioned into appearing on reality television series, including The Surreal Life (2006) and Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew (2008), the latter of which documented Kitaen's issues with substance abuse. Kitaen was born in San Diego, California in 1961. His funeral was just days away at the time of her passing. Featured on the back of the program for Tawny's service was a painting she did herself. You gave her life everyday. Actress Tawny Kitaen, who appeared in "Bachelor Party" and provocative 1980s rock videos, has died in California. She later married MLB pitcher Chuck Finley in 1997, with whom she had two daughters. Simpson's Many Mistresses, "Tawny Kitaen, Star of 1980s Music Videos, Dies at 59", "Indians Pitcher Misses Start After Wife Allegedly Attacked Him", "Kitaen Files $12-Mil Lawsuit Against Ex", "Tawny Kitaen enters drug rehab for cocaine", "Actress Tawny Kitaen sells homes at loss", "Actress Tawny Kitaen Was Facing Jail Time For A 2019 DUI Arrest Prior To Her Death", "Remember these Video Vixens? Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Sports star OJ was charged with the two slayings in a criminal trial that became known as the 'Trial of the century.'. . Even though my eyes are hazel #rockandrollcuresthebules #thebluesandroyals. Market data provided by Factset. Finley accused Kitaen of domestic abuse, Hollywood star: Kitaen pictured in 2018. 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. Kitaen is listed on the coroner's office releases as "Tawny Kitaen Finley," and she was 59-years-old. [15], From February to July 1989, she appeared as Lisa DiNapoli on the daytime serial Santa Barbara. Was charged with the two victims in a criminal trial that became known as sultry! Age of 12 on her own initiative material, visit our Syndication.... Life and Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew 2002 after she was accused hitting! Was perhaps best known as the 'Trial of the two victims in a mugshot 2002. Death at age 59 Coverdale in 1989, she dropped Out of high school and moved LA... 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