Early Life and Family Background

Tawny Kitaen was an actress, model, and media personality from the United States, who gained popularity during the 1980s.

Tawny Kitaen was born as Julie Kitaen on August 5, 1961, in San Diego, California. She was the eldest child of Linda Kitaen (née Taylor), a housewife and one-time beauty pageant participant, and Terry Kitaen, an employee of a neon sign company.

Kitaen adopted the name Tawny when she was 12 years old. She was also raised in the Jewish faith. While growing up, she struggled with dyslexia, which led to her to drop out of Mission Bay High School.

Career Beginnings and Rise to Fame

Kitaen initially began her career as a model and graced the covers of numerous magazines. Additionally, she appeared in several low-budget films such as The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik-Yak and Bachelor Party.

However, it was her appearances in music videos for the rock band Whitesnake that catapulted her to stardom. In 1989, she even tied the knot with Whitesnake’s lead singer, David Coverdale, although they divorced in 1991.

Acting and Hosting Career

Throughout her career, Kitaen continued to showcase her acting skills in various television shows and movies, including Witchboard, The New WKRP in Cincinnati, and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Moreover, she took on hosting duties for shows like America’s Funniest People and The Surreal Life.

Personal Life and Relationships

Kitean dated famous people like Robbin Crosby and O. J. Simpson. Kitean married singer David Coverdale in 1989. They divorced in 1991.

She later married baseball player Chuck Finley from 1997 to 2002, with whom she had two daughters, Wynter and Raine.

Death

Sadly, Tawny Kitaen passed away in 2021 at the age of 59 in her Newport Beach, California residence.