Actress Tawny Kitaen, 80’s icon, dead at 59

Actress Tawny Kitaen, famously known as the 80’s vixen for her appearance in music videos for Whitesnake along with being featured on a few Ratt album covers, has died. The 59-year-old actress also known for her role in films such as Bachelor Party and Witchboard, passed away in her home in Newport Beach on Friday (7th) morning. No cause of death has been revealed at this time.

KItaen’s death was later confirmed by her daughters, Wynter and Raine, who shared the following statement on her Facebook page:

“We are heartbroken and saddened to announce the death of our mom. 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. We miss her and love her and we know her legacy will live on forever.”

Just woke up to some very sad, unexpected news…Waiting on confirmation…but, if it is true, my sincere condolences to her children, her family, friends & fans…🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/ioerp3ZRPa

— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) May 8, 2021

RIP @Tawny_Kitaen . From movies, to @theRATTpack album covers, to classic @Whitesnake videos an 80’s icon. Condolences to her friends, family & fans. I didn’t know her well but we did once cohost @M3RockFestival as seen in this photo, and @80sintheSand pic.twitter.com/IR5Uoe66gh

— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) May 8, 2021

So sad to hear of #TawnyKitaen ‘s passing. She was always very sweet to me. This is a photo of us meeting many years ago when she and David came to my show. My love and sympathies to her family and friends. pic.twitter.com/l8SvMJI5pe

— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) May 8, 2021

Tawny Kitaen has died at age 59. Known to a generation of rock fans as the star of Whitesnake videos and Ratt album covers, she also acted in movies such as Bachelor Party and Witchboard. pic.twitter.com/yjhapH9foH

— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) May 8, 2021

Sad to hear about the passing of the Whitesnake video model (as well as Ratt cover model) Tawny Kitaen. A little bit of my youth died right now. Rip T 🙏#tawnykitaen #ratt #outofthecellar #roundnround #supermodel #videovixen #Whitesnake #riptawnykitaen pic.twitter.com/1X3rfvnI1B

— Marten Andersson (@anderssonmarten) May 8, 2021

Actress Tawny Kitaen Dead at 59 via @TMZ I am so sorry to hear of Tawny’s passing. A turbulent life indeed.I worked with her on the new WKRP TV series & found her 2 be the wittiest, most charming, self deprecating sexy woman, with the biggest smile. https://t.co/GB13RMEidO

— Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) May 8, 2021

Very sad news about #TawnyKitaen. I remember Sam wrote “Shaping Up” for Tom Hanks. Then “Bachelor Party” came out, and Sam said “Tom doesn’t want to do it anymore because now he thinks he can be some kind of movie star.” So we went to see it. I thought Tawny was adorable. RIP 😢 pic.twitter.com/voNiVnXaYX

— Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) May 8, 2021