Tawny Kitaen (born Julie), the actress and model best known for starring in Whitesnake’s iconic music video for “Here I Go Again,” has died. She was 59-years-old.
Variety reports that Kitaen died at her home in Newport Beach, CA yesterday, Friday, May 7. No cause of death has been revealed.
Kitaen’s music video debut came in RATT’s 1984 clip, “Back for More.” She went on to appear not only in Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again” video, but several of the band’s other clips as well, including “Still of the Night,” “Is This Love” and “The Deeper the Love.” She was also married to Whitesnake singer David Coverdale from 1989 to 1991.
As an actress, Kitaen played Tom Hanks’ girlfriend in the 1984 comedy Bachelor Party and appeared in the Seinfeld episode “The Nose Job.”
Kitaen also appeared on VH1’s Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2009. She was arrested for possession of cocaine in 2006 and for driving under the influence in 2009.
She also appeared on the reality shows The Surreal Life and Botched.
In 2011, she recreated the “Here I Go Again” video for a Funny or Die sketch, “Here We Go Again.”
In 1997, she married professional baseball player Chuck Finley, with whom she had two daughters. They divorced in 2002.
MetalSucks’ thoughts are with Kitaen’s loved ones during this difficult time.