Tawny Kitaen

Julie E. "Tawny" Kitaen (/kɨˈteɪ.ən/; born August 5, 1961)^[2] is an American actress and media personality.^[3] Kitaen appeared in several videos in the 1980s for the band Whitesnake, including the hit "Here I Go Again", and "Is This Love". Kitaen was married to Whitesnake lead singer David Coverdale from 1989 to 1991 and to baseball player Chuck Finley from 1997 to 2002. She began an acting career and co-starred as Tom Hanks' fiancé in 1984's Bachelor Party and had recurring parts on multiple television series such as Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and co-hosted America's Funniest People from 1992–1994.

Personal life

Kitaen was born in San Diego, California, in 1961, the daughter of Linda (née Taylor), a housewife and a former beauty pageant participant, and Terry Kitaen, an employee of a neon sign company. She was raised in her father's Jewish religion.^[4] Julie began using the name "Tawny" at the age of 12, on her own initiative.^[5]

Career

Kitaen began her acting career in 1983 with a minor role in the television movie Malibu. In 1984, she starred as the title character of the erotic-adventure movie The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik-Yak (or Gwendoline). She also co-starred in the movie Bachelor Party as the bride-to-be of a young Tom Hanks, and was the star of the 1986 horror movie Witchboard.^[6]

Kitaen was one of the cast of the sixth edition of the VH1 reality television show, The Surreal Life, which began airing in March 2006. In addition, in late 2007, she appeared on Rock of Love Season 1. Kitaen also appeared in the second season of the VH1 reality TV show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, which began in October 2008.^[7][8][9]

Legal troubles

In 2002, Kitaen was charged with domestic violence for an incident involving her then-husband, professional baseball player Chuck Finley.^[10] Three days later, Finley filed for divorce.^[10] After a plea bargain, Kitaen agreed to "enter a spousal battery counseling program and avoid contact with Finley."^[10] The couple was married for five years and has two daughters, Wynter and Raine.^[11]

In November 2006, prosecutors charged Kitaen with possessing 15 grams of cocaine in her San Juan Capistrano home in Orange County. The authorities said her two children were home at the time and Kitaen had given deputies permission for the search.^[12] In December 2006, she entered a six-month rehabilitation program in exchange for the dismissal of a felony drug possession charge.^[13][14][15]

On September 26, 2009, Kitaen was arrested for driving under the influence in Newport Beach, California.^[16]

Filmography

Film

Television

References

External links

• Tawny Kitaen at the Internet Movie Database