Tawny Kitaen Then and Now: Actress' Hollywood career was cut short by legal troubles before tragic death
The rollercoaster journey of 80s pinup model and actress Tawny Kitaen
Tawny Kitaen, originally named Julie E Kitaen, was a rapid riser in the entertainment industry, achieving the status of a pinup sensation during her ascent. With her iconic big hair, sassy demeanor, and a commendable level of acting talent, she became a prominent figure of the 80s. However, as the decade concluded, it appeared that her career took a parallel trajectory, fading from the spotlight. Despite her momentous rise during the 80s, Tawny Kitaen's career faced a shift as the era of excess came to an end.
The '70s: Tawny Kitaen's acting debut
Tawny Kitaen ventured into the world of acting in 1976, making her initial appearance on the game show 'To Tell the Truth'. Her first credited character role was on the show 'Malibu', portraying Mahoney's girlfriend. Subsequently, she transitioned to the big screen with notable roles in films such as 'The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik Yak' and 'Bachelor Party', minor box office hit 'Witchboard', and 'White Hot, and Dead Tides', garnering positive reception for her performances.The following years were all about her dynamic presence in several rock music videos.
The '80s: Stardom and more
Tawny Kitaen expanded her career into modeling and television commercials, notably appearing in promotional content for Jack LaLanne's European Health Spas during the early 1980s. In 1984, Tawny Kitaen took on the role of the title character in the erotic adventure movie 'The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik-Yak', also known as 'Gwendoline'. In the same year, she appeared in Ratt's 'Back for More' music video. In the proceeding year she appear in Whitesnake's 1987 song, 'Still of the Night'; 1987 song 'Here I Go Again' and 'Is This Love'; and their 1990's song, 'The Deeper the Love'.
Tawny Kitaen's scandalous love life and motherhood
Tawny Kitaen had a year-long affair with OJ Simpson while he was married to a pregnant Nicole Brown. This extramarital relationship came to light during Simpson's 1997 civil trial for wrongful death. But Simpson wasn't the only man in her life. In 1989, she entered into matrimony with the lead singer David Coverdale, but the union proved to be short-lived, culminating in a divorce just two years later. Subsequently, she entered into a marriage with baseball player Chuck Finley in 1997 with whom she had two daughters, Wynter and Raine. Unfortunately, this marriage took a tumultuous turn with Kitaen being charged with domestic violence for assaulting Finley. They divorced in 2002.
Tawny Kitaen's 'Seinfeld' days
Tawny Kitaen's presence in the entertainment industry extended to various television roles during the late 1980s and early 1990s. From February to July 1989, she portrayed Lisa DiNapoli on the daytime serial 'Santa Barbara'. In a memorable appearance, she graced 'Seinfeld' as Jerry's girlfriend in the 1991 episode titled 'The Nose Job'. Kitaen showcased her versatility in a recurring role, starring in 19 episodes of the TV series 'The New WKRP in Cincinnati' from 1991 to 1993 as nighttime DJ Mona Loveland, hosting a show titled 'Mona Till Midnight'. Her television repertoire also included recurring roles in 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys' and co-hosting 'America's Funniest People' from 1992 to 1994.
A series of felony charges
In 2006, Tawny Kitaen faced legal troubles when she was charged with possession of 15 grams of cocaine, after law enforecement officers found the susbstance in her apartment, as per CBS News. Opting for rehabilitation, she entered a six-month program to have the drug charges dismissed. However, her struggles with the law continued, and in 2009, she was arrested for a DUI in Newport Beach, California, New York Daily News reported. In July 2010, she pleaded no contest, resulting in a short jail stay, community service, and a mandate to attend a first offender alcohol program. The sequence of legal issues prompted discussions about the leniency granted, considering her past convictions, raising questions about the treatment of former stars in the legal system. On July 22, 2019, Tawny Kitaen faced another arrest for DUI in Newport Beach. The legal repercussions followed, with formal charges related to the arrest being filed on October 22 of the same year.
Death of a star
On May 7, 2021, Tawny Kitaen passed away at the age of 59 in her Newport Beach residence. In the preceding year, she had actively collaborated with author and historian Colin Heaton on her memoirs. Her daughter, Wynter Finley, conveyed the news of her death to The New York Times, noting that the cause was not immediately apparent. Police investigations conducted at the scene found no evidence of alcohol or drugs playing a role. However, in October 2021, the coroner's office officially disclosed that the cause of Tawny Kitaen's demise was dilated cardiomyopathy, a prevalent form of heart disease. The contributing factors also included mild coronary atherosclerosis and the ingestion of various drugs, such as mirtazapine, alprazolam, acetaminophen, pregabalin, and hydrocodone.