Rest in Peace: Tawny Kitaen, ‘Witchboard’ Actress, Has Died at 59

Actress and model Tawny Kitaen has died. No cause of death has been released at this time. She was 59 years old.

Born in San Diego, California, Kitaen made her big screen debut in 1984, appearing in both Gwendoline and the Tom Hanks starrer, Bachelor Party. The actress would continue to work semi-steadily through the 80s on film, including taking the lead role in Witchboard, a film about a woman who becomes possessed by the spirit of a Ouija board.

It was during this time that Kitaen began appearing in music videos as well. She can be found in RATT’s “Back for More” video. Later, she would appear in a string of videos for Whitesnake including “Is This Love,” “Here I Go Again,” and “Still of the Night.” She was dating and would later marry Whitesnake front-man David Coverdale, though the marriage only lasted two years.

As the 80s came to a close, Kitaen joined the soap opera Santa Barbara where she appeared in more than 40 episodes. She would go on in the 90s to appear in a series of Hercules movies made for television before Hercules: The Legendary Journeys launched in 1995.

Kitaen continued to act throughout the 2000s and 2010s. She also made her way into reality TV, appearing in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes as a producer.

iHorror sends our condolences to the friends and family of Tawny Kitaen.