NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (NewsNation Now) — Julie E. “Tawny” Kitaen, whose appearance in numerous Whitesnake videos made her a sex symbol in the 1980s, has died at 59.
The Orange County coroner’s office said she died at her home in Newport Beach on Friday. The cause of death was not immediately released.
Her daughters, Wynter and Raine, confirmed their mother’s death on Kitaen’s Instagram account.
“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,” their statement said.
Kitaen was best known for portraying Tom Hanks’ girlfriend in the 1984 comedy “Bachelor Party.” She also appeared in several music videos from the 80s rock band Whitesnake, including the 1987 smash “Here I Go Again.”
Kitaen was married to Whitesnake’s lead singer, David Coverdale, from 1989 to 1991. She married baseball player Chuck Finley, with whom she had two daughters, in 1997. They divorced in 2002.
After their divorce, Kitaen appeared in several reality shows, including “The Surreal Life,” “Botched” and a season of VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,” which chronicled her struggle with substance abuse.
“My sincere condolences to her children, her family, friends & fans,” Coverdale tweeted on Saturday.
FILE – This May 28, 1998 file photo shows Tawny Kitaen. Kitaen, the sultry red-haired actress who appeared in rock music videos during they heyday of MTV, has died. She was 59. Authorities in Orange County, California say she died at her home in Newport Beach on Friday, May 7, 2021. (Bruce C. Strong/The Orange County Register via AP) 
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – APRIL 6 – Actress Actress Tawny Kitaen (L) and her daughter Wynter Finley attend Yellow Ribbon Sunday at Will Rogers Memorial Park April 6, 2003 in Beverly Hills, California. The event was organized by Alana Stewart, Lorna Luft and Ann Turkel to show support for the troops in Iraq by wrapping trees with yellow ribbons. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 02: Actors Topher Grace (L) and Tawny Kitaen pose at the after party for the premiere of Relativity Media’s “Take Me Home Tonight” at the Conga Room on March 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
The Associated Press and NewsNation affiliate WFLA contributed to this report. Reporting by AP’s Daisey Nguygen and WFLA staff.
