Tiffani Amber Thiessen(born January 23, 1974)[1]is an American actress. Her roles asKelly KapowskionNBC'sSaved by the Bell(1989–1993) and itsspin-off media,and asValerie MaloneonFox'sBeverly Hills, 90210(1994–98) established her as ateen idolof the 1990s. As an adult, she has played Wilhemina 'Billie' Chambers in Fox'sFastlane(2002–2003), Natasha Drew inABC'sWhat About Brian(2007),Elizabeth BurkeinUSA Network'sWhite Collar(2009–2014), and Lori Mendoza inNetflix'sAlexa & Katie(2018–2020). For the latter, she earned aDaytime Emmy Awardnomination.
Tiffani Thiessen | |
|---|---|
 Thiessen in 2018 | |
| Born | Tiffani Amber Thiessen January 23, 1974 |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | tiffanithiessen |
Thiessen has appeared in several films, such asSon in Law(1993),Speedway Junky(1999),From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money(1999),Love Stinks(1999),Ivans Xtc(2000),Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th(2000),The Ladies Man(2000),Hollywood Ending(2002) andCyborg Soldier(2008). She directed theshort filmJust Pray(2005), for which she earned a nomination from theTribeca Festivalfor Best Narrative Short. She hosted theCooking ChannelseriesDinner at Tiffani's(2015–2017) and theMTVcomedyclip showDeliciousness(2020–2022).
Early life
editThiessen was born inLong Beach, California,[2][3]the daughter of Robyn (née Ernest), ahomemaker,and Frank Thiessen, a park designer andlandscape architect.[4][5]She has credited her brother, Todd, as one of her most important sources of inspiration, and her mother and grandmother as role models.[6]Thiessen toldInStylemagazine: "I'm a mutt. I have so much of everything in me, and half of it I don't even know. German on one side, Greek, Turkish and Welsh on the other. My mom is very olive-skinned; I get my blue eyes from my dad."[7][8]
Career
editThiessen participated in beauty pageants during her childhood and was crowned Miss Junior America in 1987. The following year, she appeared on the cover ofTeenmagazine, having won the magazine's "Great Model Search". In 1989, she was namedCover Girl's "Model of the Year", and landed her first role ofKelly KapowskionNBC's television sitcomSaved by the Bell,starring until its end in 1993. The success of the show gave her career a boost and Thiessen receivedYoung Artist Awardnominations forOutstanding Young Ensemble Castin 1990 andBest Young Actress Starring in an Off-Primetime Seriesin 1991 and 1993.[9][10][11]Simultaneously, Thiessen guest-starred on series such asMarried... with Children,Charles in ChargeandStep by Step.In 1992, she starred in her first television moviesSaved by the Bell: Hawaiian StyleandA Killer Among Friends,making her film debut inSon in Lawin 1993. She then continued with starring in spin-offSaved by the Bell: The College Yearsin its single season (1993–94) and in television movieSaved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas(1994), which marked the end of the originalSaved by the Bellseries.
In 1994, after her tenure onSaved by the Bellhad ended, Thiessen landed the role ofValerie MaloneinFox'sAaron Spelling-produced hit teen-dramaBeverly Hills, 90210,to fill the void afterShannen Doherty's departure. She was the first actress to directly join the main cast of the show and portrayed Valerie until 1998, when she left in the early episodes of the ninth season of the show. While starring in90210,Thiessen began to take on continuous dramatic leading roles in television films:The Stranger Beside Me(1995) andShe Fought Alone(1995),Sweet DreamsandBuried Secretsin 1996. After her departure from the show, she appeared in a number of films, includingSpeedway Junky(1999),From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money(1999),Love Stinks(1999) andThe Ladies Man(2000); she also guest-starred onNewsRadio(1999),Two Guys and a Girl(2000),Just Shoot Me!(2001) andGood Morning, Miami(2003–04). In 2000, she was featured in themusic videofor "You're a God"byVertical Horizon,portraying a beauty pageant contestant, in her first music video appearance. That year she also dropped her middle name which she had been including professionally for many years and is now credited as simply Tiffani Thiessen.[12]Thiessen was Spelling's first choice to replace Doherty in the seriesCharmedin 2001, but she refused his offer because she was hoping the NBC pilot forEverything But the Girlwould be picked up.[13]The role eventually went toRose McGowan.
Meanwhile, Thiessen starred in direct-to-video parody filmShriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth(2000) and in television movieEverything But the Girl(2001), before appearing in theWoody Allen-directed filmHollywood Ending(2002) and starring in action-drama seriesFastlane(2002–03) as Wilhelmina 'Billie' Chambers, for which she received aTeen Choice Awardnomination forChoice TV Actress – Drama/Action Adventure.[14]In 2003, she launched her production company Tit 4 Tat Productions, producing and directing the short filmJust Prayin 2005,[15]which earned distinctions at several film festivals,[16]including winning Best Score at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, an Academy Award qualifying festival. The original motion picture soundtrack album, co-produced by Thiessen and Al Gomes of Big Noise, was placed on the Official Ballot for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards by The Recording Academy in several categories including Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.[17]
Later on, she starred in television moviesStroller Wars(2006) andPandemic(2007), she joined the cast ofABC's dramaWhat About Brian(2007) for its last five episodes and starred in the science fiction filmCyborg Soldier(2008). In 2008, she made her second music video appearance, this time forBen Lee's "American Television". Thiessen appeared with her husbandBrady Smithon the September 6, 2009 episode of season four of the reality showHGTV Design Star.Interior designer Lonni Paul, one of the final three contestants of the season, was given the task of redesigning Thiessen's guest bedroom with an eco-friendly theme; Thiessen and Paul now have a nursery furniture line called PetitNest.[18]From 2009 through 2014 Thiessen appeared in theUSA Networkcrime seriesWhite CollarasElizabeth Burke.
On February 4, 2015, Thiessen reunited withSaved By the BellcostarsMark-Paul Gosselaar,Elizabeth Berkley,Dennis HaskinsandMario LopezonThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,in which they appeared in aSaved by the Bellsketch with hostJimmy Fallon.[19][20][21]In the same year, Thiessen started hosting her own show onCooking ChannelcalledDinner at Tiffani's,which ran until 2017.
On June 7, 2017, Thiessen was cast as Lori Mendoza, mother of the Mendoza family on the multi cameraNetflixsitcomAlexa & Katie,which premiered its first two seasons on March 23 and December 26, 2018.[22]In 2021, at the48th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards,she was nominated in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Daytime Fiction Program.[23]
In March 2020, it was announced that Thiessen would join the cast of theSaved by the Bellsequel series, reprising her role as Kelly Kapowski. She guest-starred in three episodes.[24]The show premiered onNBCUniversal's streaming networkPeacockbeginning November 2020.[25]In November, it was announced that Thiessen would host theMTVcomedyclip showDeliciousness,a spinoff of that network's previous program,Ridiculousness.[26]
Charity work
editIn April 2013, she participated in the One Bag party as part of Earth Month, in which theGladcompany promoted "clean,greenliving ".[27]
Public image
editThiessen was a teen idol during the 1990s, starting from her role as cheerleaderKelly KapowskionSaved by the Belland then playing bad girlValerie MaloneonBeverly Hills, 90210.In a much-discussed moment,Justin Bieberappeared wearing a T-shirt with a photo of Thiessen in herSaved by the Belldays at the2011 MuchMusic Video Awards,[28]admitting his admiration for her. Basketball playerChris Paulalso revealed publicly that he was a fan of Thiessen back then, when she sent him an autographed Saved by the Bell-era photograph of herself for his 29th birthday in 2014.[29]
Personal life
editThiessen dated herSaved by the Bellco-starMark-Paul Gosselaar(who played Zack in the show). She also datedMario Lopez,who played A.C. Slater, from 1991 to November 1993.[30][31][32][33]
In early 1992, Thiessen started dating her future90210co-starBrian Austin Green,introduced by mutual friendDavid Faustino;[34]they moved in together in July 1994, then broke up the next year.[35]In 1999, she went through a difficult period in her personal life, whenDavid Strickland,also an actor, whom she had begun dating, died by suicide.[36]From 2001 to the spring of 2003, she was engaged to actorRichard Ruccolo,whom she had met during theTwo Guys and a Girlrun.[37]She married actorBrady Smithon July 9, 2005,[37]and they have two children: a daughter born in 2010,[38]and a son born in 2015.[39]
Thiessen served asmaid of honorat90210co-star and best friendJennie Garth's 2001 wedding to actorPeter Facinelli,with whom she co-starred onFastlane.Garth and Thiessen's friendship has since come to an end.[40]Her friendship with fellow90210starTori Spellingalso ended after Spelling's marriage to her first husband ended.[41]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Son in Law | Tracy | |
| 1999 | Speedway Junky | Wilma Price | |
| From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money | Pam | Direct to video film | |
| Love Stinks | Rebecca Melini / Juliette | ||
| 2000 | Ivans XTC | Marie Stein | |
| The Ladies Man | Honey DeLune | ||
| Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth | Hagitha Utslay | Direct to video film | |
| 2001 | A Christmas Adventure...from a Book Called Wisely's Tales | Vixen (voice) | |
| 2002 | Hollywood Ending | Sharon Bates | |
| 2005 | Just Pray | Short; director | |
| 2008 | Cyborg Soldier | Lindsey Reardon |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Live-In | Girl | Episode: "Mommy and Me and Au Pair Make Three" |
| 1989–1993 | Saved by the Bell | Kelly Kapowski | Main role |
| 1990 | Charles in Charge | Jennifer | Episode: "There's a Girl in My Ficus" |
| Married... with Children | Heather McCoy | Episode: "What Goes Around Came Around" | |
| The Hogan Family | Brooke | Episodes: "California Dreamin' Parts 1 & 2" | |
| 1992 | Step by Step | Tina Gordon | Episode: "Daddy's Girl" |
| Blossom | Ricki | Episode: "Driver's Education" | |
| Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style | Kelly Kapowski | Television movie | |
| The Powers That Be | Barbara | Episode: "The Intern" | |
| A Killer Among Friends | Jenny Monroe | Television movie | |
| 1993–1994 | Saved by the Bell: The College Years | Kelly Kapowski | Main role |
| 1994 | Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas | Television movie | |
| Burke's Law | Andrea Pierce | Episode: "Who Killed Romeo?" | |
| 1994–1998 & 2000 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Valerie Malone | Main role (seasons 5-9); guest (season 10) |
| 1995 | The Stranger Beside Me | Jennifer Gallagher | Television movie |
| She Fought Alone | Caitlin Rose | ||
| 1996 | Sweet Dreams | Alison Sullivan | |
| Buried Secrets | Annalisse Vellum | Television movie; also co-producer | |
| 1999 | Cupid | Stephanie MacGregor | Episode: "Children's Hour" |
| NewsRadio | Foxy Jackson | Episode: "Assistant" | |
| 2000 | Two Guys and a Girl | Marti | Recurring role |
| 2001 | Everything But the Girl | Denise | Pilot movie |
| Just Shoot Me! | Amy Watson | 3 episodes | |
| 2002–2003 | Fastlane | Wilhelmina 'Billie' Chambers | Main role |
| 2003–2004 | Good Morning, Miami | Victoria Hill | Recurring role |
| 2006 | Stroller Wars | Lainey | Television movie |
| 2007 | Pandemic | Kayla Martin | Miniseries |
| What About Brian | Natasha Drew | Recurring role | |
| 2009–2014 | White Collar | Elizabeth Burke | Main role |
| 2012–2016 | Jake and the Never Land Pirates | Misty the Wonderful Witch / Mermaid | Recurring role; voice |
| 2014 | Northpole | Chelsea Hastings | Television movie |
| 2015 | Hell's Kitchen | Herself | Episode: "Winner Chosen" |
| The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | Kelly Kapowski | Saved by the Bellsketch | |
| 2015–2017 | Dinner at Tiffani's | Herself / Hostess | Executive producer |
| 2017 | American Housewife | Celeste | Episode: "Dude, Where's My Napkin" |
| Food Network Star | Herself | Episode: "Summer Party Playoffs" | |
| 2018–2020 | Alexa & Katie | Lori Mendoza | Main role |
| 2019 | Sugar Rush Christmas | Herself | Episode: "Here Comes Santa Claus" |
| 2020–2021 | Saved by the Bell | Kelly Kapowski Morris | Recurring role |
| 2020–2022 | Deliciousness | Herself | Clip show;host |
Music videos
edit| Year | Song | Artist | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | "You're a God" | Vertical Horizon | Herself | |
| 2008 | "American Television" | Ben Lee | ||
| 2020 | "Pick Her Up" | Hot Country Knights | Dierks Bentley's alter ego |
Accolades
edit| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Young Artist Awards | Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast | Saved by the Bell | Nominated | [9] |
| 1991 | Best Young Actress Starring in an Off-Primetime Series | [10] | |||
| 1993 | Best Young Actress Starring in an Off-Primetime Series | [11] | |||
| 2003 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actress – Drama/Action Adventure | Fastlane | [14] | |
| 2005 | Tribeca Festival Awards | Best Narrative Short | Just Pray | [16] | |
| 2021 | Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Daytime Fiction Program | Alexa & Katie | [23] |
References
edit- ^"Today's famous birthdays list for January 23, 2021 includes celebrities Mariska Hargitay, Tiffani Thiessen".Cleveland.com.January 23, 2021.RetrievedFebruary 3,2022.
- ^"Tiffani Thiessen fed me fried chicken, cheesy enchiladas, beef jerky and a Michelin tasting menu in Long Beach. We had leftovers".Los Angeles Times.October 25, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 3,2025.
- ^Antonios, Caitlin (September 18, 2023)."Actress Tiffani Thiessen talks growing up in Long Beach, and all things food".the Hi-lo.RetrievedFebruary 3,2025.
- ^Randee Dawn (April 25, 2019)."Tiffani Thiessen shares throwback pic of look-alike mom".www.today.com.RetrievedApril 14,2023.
- ^"Tiffani Thiessen Credits Family for Her Motherhood Success".Peoplemag.RetrievedApril 14,2023.
- ^"Tiffani Thiessen's interview".Tiffani Thiessen fansite. Archived fromthe originalon November 4, 2007.RetrievedNovember 14,2007.
- ^"InStyle Interview".tiffanithiessen.org.November 1998. p. 261. Archived fromthe originalon November 28, 2010.
- ^Team, Greek Gateway."Celebrities you didn't know were of Greek descent".Greek Gateway - The Top Greek Entertainment Website.RetrievedApril 8,2017.
- ^ab"11th Annual Awards".April 9, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon April 9, 2014.RetrievedApril 14,2023.
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- ^ab"14th Annual Awards".February 17, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon February 17, 2011.RetrievedApril 14,2023.
- ^"TV STUFF: Tiffani Drops Amber".Hollywood.com.March 29, 2000. Archived fromthe originalon March 18, 2016.RetrievedNovember 12,2007.
- ^"Charm's Way".Entertainment Weekly.June 12, 2001.RetrievedDecember 25,2012.
- ^abBillboard Staff (June 18, 2003)."2003 Teen Choice Awards Nominees".Billboard.RetrievedApril 14,2023.
- ^"News".imdb.com. February 25, 2005.RetrievedDecember 23,2012.
- ^ab"Tribeca Film Festival (2005)".IMDb.RetrievedApril 14,2023.
- ^"Tiffani Thiessen 'Just Pray' Soundtrack Official Site".RetrievedOctober 10,2006.
- ^"About us".Petitnest.com. Archived fromthe originalon April 27, 2012.RetrievedDecember 23,2012.
- ^"Watch a Glorious Saved by the Bell Reunion Courtesy of Jimmy Fallon".Time.RetrievedFebruary 20,2015.
- ^"Jimmy Fallon assembled the cast of 'Saved by The Bell' for an epic reunion".Business Insider.RetrievedFebruary 20,2015.
- ^"Jimmy Fallon reunites most of the 'Saved by the Bell' cast".Los Angeles Times.February 5, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 20,2015.
- ^Nellie Andreeva (June 7, 2017)."Tiffani Thiessen To Co-Star In Netflix Multi-Camera Comedy 'Alexa & Katie'".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedJune 7,2017.
- ^abHipes, Patrick (June 8, 2021)."Daytime Emmy Awards Sets Host; Nominees Include Alex Trebek, Larry King – Update".Deadline.RetrievedApril 13,2023.
- ^"The 'Saved By The Bell' Reboot Will Feature Zack & Kelly Together Again".Bustle.March 1, 2020.RetrievedMarch 4,2020.
- ^"Saved by the Bell revival drops first official trailer: 'The old gang back together'".Entertainment Weekly.October 27, 2020.RetrievedOctober 27,2020.
- ^Borge, Jonathan (November 23, 2020)."MTV's Ridiculousness Spinoff Is Guaranteed To Make You Hungry—And Make You Laugh".E! Online.
- ^Elavsky, Cindy (May 19, 2013)."Celebrity Extra".Downriver Sunday Times.Times-Herald Newspapers.RetrievedAugust 2,2013.
- ^"Justin Bieber wears Tiffani Thiessen".Daily News.RetrievedJuly 25,2015.
- ^Finn, Natalie (June 3, 2014)."Chris Paul Gets" Best "Birthday Gift—A Saved by the Bell-Era Autographed Photo of Tiffani Thiessen!".E! Online.RetrievedJuly 25,2015.
- ^Barbuti, Angela (December 29, 2021)."What You Never Knew About Tiffani Thiessen".TheList.com.RetrievedFebruary 10,2022.
- ^Saved by the Bell Anniversary."TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1991 The main plot follows Kelly's adventure as a teacher. Everything seems to be ok until she clashes with… | Instagram".www.instagram.com.
- ^"Mario Lopez shares fond memories of dating Tiffani Thiessen in real life".TODAY.com.October 22, 2019.
- ^"Mario Lopez And Tiffani Thiessen Share 'Saved By The Bell' Memories | TODAY All Day".YouTube.November 20, 2020.
- ^"Brian Austin Green & Tiffani-Amber Thiessen".People.February 13, 1995.RetrievedJune 28,2012.
- ^"Robin Williams Secures an 'Aladdin' Sequel".Entertainment Weekly.October 9, 1995.RetrievedDecember 23,2012.
- ^"Sudden Tragedy".Entertainment Weekly.April 2, 1999.RetrievedDecember 23,2012.
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- ^Oh, Eunice (June 15, 2010)."Tiffani Thiessen Welcomes Daughter Harper Renn".People.RetrievedFebruary 1,2019.
- ^Stroup, Kate; Leon, Anya (July 2, 2015)."Tiffani Thiessen Welcomes Son Holt Fisher".People.RetrievedOctober 9,2016.
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External links
edit