Tiffani Thiessen
Birthday:
23 January 1974, Long Beach, California, USA
Birth Name:
Tiffany Amber Thiessen
Height:
165 cm
Tiffani-Amber Thiessen was born on January 23, 1974, in Long Beach, California, USA, to Frank Thiessen, a park designer, and Robyn Ernest, a homemaker. She grew up in Long Beach with her parents and her brothers, professional cyclist Todd (born August 1, 1968) and Schyler (born May 10, 1977). When Tiffani was 8, her uncle, Roger Ernest, suggested t...
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Tiffani-Amber Thiessen was born on January 23, 1974, in Long Beach, California, USA, to Frank Thiessen, a park designer, and Robyn Ernest, a homemaker. She grew up in Long Beach with her parents and her brothers, professional cyclist Todd (born August 1, 1968) and Schyler (born May 10, 1977). When Tiffani was 8, her uncle, Roger Ernest, suggested that she try acting and modeling. Soon afterward, she appeared in her first TV commercial, for Peaches and Cream Barbie. From there she started competing in several beauty pageants and, in 1987, she won the Miss Junior America pageant.She got her big break when she was cast as the popular cheerleader Kelly Kapowski on the NBC series Saved by the Bell (1989), which lasted for five years. But this was not at all the end of her career. Coinciding with the cancellation of the short-lived Saved by the Bell: The College Years (1993), she was cast as the bitchy, conniving vixen Valerie Malone on Aaron Spelling's long-running hit series Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990). Here, she played the constant enemy of Kelly Taylor, played by Jennie Garth, although in real life, the two are actually best friends. Tiffani also lived with co-star Brian Austin Green for several years. She stayed with the show until 1998 and then left to pursue her movie career. The result was two independent movies, followed by two comedies and then Hollywood Ending (2002), in which she starred alongside Woody Allen.She met actor Richard Ruccolo while guest starring as Marti in the hit sitcom Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (1998) where in 2001, the couple became engaged. During the fall of 2002, she hooked up with best friend Jennie's husband, Peter Facinelli, and Bill Bellamy on Fox's action/drama series, Fastlane (2002), where she starred as Billie Chambers, but the show was canceled after one season. In 2003, Tiffani broke off her engagement to Richard Ruccolo and in 2005, she married actor Brady Smith. The couple have two children, a daughter, Harper Smith (Harper Renn Smith) and a son, Holt Fisher Smith. Show less «
There are too many rotten things in this world, and if I can put a smile on one little girl's face, one little boy's face, then I've done my...Show more »
There are too many rotten things in this world, and if I can put a smile on one little girl's face, one little boy's face, then I've done my job. - on acting professionally in show business. Show less «
My mom always taught me to be sweet and polite and cross my legs because it's what the guys like. Actually, they like a raunchy girl once in...Show more »
My mom always taught me to be sweet and polite and cross my legs because it's what the guys like. Actually, they like a raunchy girl once in a while. - being a feminine woman. Show less «
People expect me to be thin and perfect... I'm not.
People expect me to be thin and perfect... I'm not.
My dog and two cats are such a vital part of my life. To say that I am their owner doesn't reflect at all the profound bond and responsibili...Show more »
My dog and two cats are such a vital part of my life. To say that I am their owner doesn't reflect at all the profound bond and responsibility that I have towards them. Therefore, I thoroughly support In Defense of Animals' initiative to utilize 'guardian' instead of owner. Show less «
I've seen the effects of drugs too often. My brother had a big problem with them for five years. He's better now, but I've never needed or w...Show more »
I've seen the effects of drugs too often. My brother had a big problem with them for five years. He's better now, but I've never needed or wanted to be involved with them. Show less «
It's much more interesting to play the bitch.
It's much more interesting to play the bitch.
When you interact with someone you always take something from them.
When you interact with someone you always take something from them.
I'm a pretty big clothes horse. I shop for clothes constantly. I do so much shopping. I should go to Shoppers Anonymous.
I'm a pretty big clothes horse. I shop for clothes constantly. I do so much shopping. I should go to Shoppers Anonymous.
The weight issues is a huge one that arises almost in every woman. But I don't think it's increased, it's always been there. Since the 1920s...Show more »
The weight issues is a huge one that arises almost in every woman. But I don't think it's increased, it's always been there. Since the 1920s women have been encouraged to be thin. But even that is dictated by fashion. It alternates between being really skinny and being healthy. Show less «
I wake up every morning and I'm thankful for what I have. I've been blessed with a lot of wonderful things and I try to reflect on that ever...Show more »
I wake up every morning and I'm thankful for what I have. I've been blessed with a lot of wonderful things and I try to reflect on that every chance I can. Show less «
I was never clean, prissy and perfect like Kelly [her character on Saved by the Bell (1989)], and I was never a pot-smoking slut like Valeri...Show more »
I was never clean, prissy and perfect like Kelly [her character on Saved by the Bell (1989)], and I was never a pot-smoking slut like Valerie [her character on Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990)]. Kelly was the cheerleader and the perfect girl next door, and being that I grew up in the business, I never went to school. I was never a cheerleader. I never went to the prom. I didn't have any of those experiences. Show less «
I love to shop for lingerie! My drawer for my lingerie is probably as big as my drawer for sweats and jeans. It's really huge.
I love to shop for lingerie! My drawer for my lingerie is probably as big as my drawer for sweats and jeans. It's really huge.
I would love to be totally thin and be able to eat whatever I like, but I don't have a problem with my body. I like my body. I don't want to...Show more »
I would love to be totally thin and be able to eat whatever I like, but I don't have a problem with my body. I like my body. I don't want to make myself crazy watching my weight. Show less «
It's never really been a hard thing for me for some reason. After the first time, it was, like, no big deal. All the guys on 90210 [Beverly ...Show more »
It's never really been a hard thing for me for some reason. After the first time, it was, like, no big deal. All the guys on 90210 [Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990)] treat me with total respect. They don't try anything. Show less «
[on winning Teen Magazine's "Model Search" in 1988] I was definitely surprised when I won, 'cause that year those girls were absolutely gorg...Show more »
[on winning Teen Magazine's "Model Search" in 1988] I was definitely surprised when I won, 'cause that year those girls were absolutely gorgeous. Show less «
I've collected pigs since I was really little, miniature pigs and stuff like that.
I've collected pigs since I was really little, miniature pigs and stuff like that.
In this business, you've got to take a lot of rejection--and you can't take it personally. If you're not chosen, you're either not ready or ...Show more »
In this business, you've got to take a lot of rejection--and you can't take it personally. If you're not chosen, you're either not ready or not right for it. My mom used to tell me that a quitter never wins, and a winner never quits. And that's something I've always gone by. Show less «
I'm a very spiritual person and to know that now women are able to do just as much as men is really great . . . Working for myself and being...Show more »
I'm a very spiritual person and to know that now women are able to do just as much as men is really great . . . Working for myself and being young and being a woman, I can finally get respect from people . . . I mean I've got my own house, I've got my career set--nobody can tell me I can't do it. Show less «
My brother Todd's been a really big inspiration to me. He's had a lot of problems, and how he's come out of it is just amazing. Knowing some...Show more »
My brother Todd's been a really big inspiration to me. He's had a lot of problems, and how he's come out of it is just amazing. Knowing someone who's been at the bottom and completely restructured themselves . . . makes me think I could do anything. I have total respect for him. Show less «
Since I'm into modeling, I know young girls always try to watch their weight and what they look like. And it is important to some extent but...Show more »
Since I'm into modeling, I know young girls always try to watch their weight and what they look like. And it is important to some extent but . . . I've known girls who have gone through a lot of problems with dieting, and it's not worth it. It's terrible to think that [in] our society [a woman] has to be tall, skinny and beautiful. It's really horrible that we have to look like that and it's not worth it. It really isn't. I've met a lot of beautiful people who don't have anything inside. Show less «
[about beauty pageants] I would never do another one but at the time it was fun.
[about beauty pageants] I would never do another one but at the time it was fun.
I just want to keep playing something different each time out.It is the same thing most actors want in their careers; the chance to do a var...Show more »
I just want to keep playing something different each time out.It is the same thing most actors want in their careers; the chance to do a variety of characters. Otherwise, you end up playing the same character over and over again until it gets downright boring. That's not how I want to spend my life. Show less «
[on the success of Saved by the Bell (1989)] To us, it was this cute little show that was on against a bunch of cartoons on Saturday morning...Show more »
[on the success of Saved by the Bell (1989)] To us, it was this cute little show that was on against a bunch of cartoons on Saturday morning. None of us expected it to last very long. We didn't realize anything big was happening until our first personal appearance, and then we were shocked out of our minds. We went to a mall and there were 4,000 screaming kids waiting for us. They were tearing off our clothes and begging for the cups of water that we were drinking from. We kept looking at each other in amazement. We had no idea this was happening, and I still don't understand it. Show less «
The winner never loses, and the loser never wins.
The winner never loses, and the loser never wins.
Honestly, I enjoy food. And I'm never going to be stick thin like Kate Moss. But I don't eat like a pig.
Honestly, I enjoy food. And I'm never going to be stick thin like Kate Moss. But I don't eat like a pig.
They never let me hold the Barbie, I only got to hold Ken. I guess I wasn't blonde enough.
They never let me hold the Barbie, I only got to hold Ken. I guess I wasn't blonde enough.
I really don't have a career plan. I like being challenged and thrown around. But it's only acting.
I really don't have a career plan. I like being challenged and thrown around. But it's only acting.
I'm very grateful for what I have been given and wouldn't change anything. I feel that we are given everything we have for a reason, both go...Show more »
I'm very grateful for what I have been given and wouldn't change anything. I feel that we are given everything we have for a reason, both good and bad, and that we learn from them. This is what gives us character. Show less «
I think people in the entertainment field have no privacy. All the tabloids want to see is a person fail at something.
I think people in the entertainment field have no privacy. All the tabloids want to see is a person fail at something.
It was so much fun going from playing a good girl to a bad girl.
It was so much fun going from playing a good girl to a bad girl.
[about her character on Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990)] I like playing Valerie. She's a chameleon. One moment she's charming and the next she's...Show more »
[about her character on Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990)] I like playing Valerie. She's a chameleon. One moment she's charming and the next she's a you-know-what. I like her because she's so two-sided--she's two different characters in one. Show less «
I always feel that everything you do in life is a learning experience and that you become a wiser person for it.
I always feel that everything you do in life is a learning experience and that you become a wiser person for it.
It's definitely difficult but it's kind of the price you pay when you're in this kind of business. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.
It's definitely difficult but it's kind of the price you pay when you're in this kind of business. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.
I really don't look at my life as being an accomplishment. I'm just very thankful for what I've been given.
I really don't look at my life as being an accomplishment. I'm just very thankful for what I've been given.
I'd say I've enjoyed every role that I've done in my life.
I'd say I've enjoyed every role that I've done in my life.
Jennie Garth is my closest friend.
Jennie Garth is my closest friend.
I like a man to be romantic, have a sense of humor, independent, definitely and have definite goals for himself.
I like a man to be romantic, have a sense of humor, independent, definitely and have definite goals for himself.
If you work with Aaron Spelling and he likes you, you'll always work for Aaron. And believe me, that's not a bad thing.
If you work with Aaron Spelling and he likes you, you'll always work for Aaron. And believe me, that's not a bad thing.
If I didn't work out, it'd be a disaster. The weight issue has been a really big thing for me all my life. I come from an overweight family,...Show more »
If I didn't work out, it'd be a disaster. The weight issue has been a really big thing for me all my life. I come from an overweight family, and in this business, it's something you simply can't be. I love eating, but I work out six days a week, usually for an hour and a half. Show less «
What do I wanna do 10 years from now? I love doing TV and I hope I can do it as long as I can. Some day I want to get married and have a fam...Show more »
What do I wanna do 10 years from now? I love doing TV and I hope I can do it as long as I can. Some day I want to get married and have a family. And I would love to travel. I want to go back to Australia - absolutely. Show less «
[on being told to lose weight for a part] If it were right for the role, I'd do it. If it was, "Lose weight just to lose weight", they'd get...Show more »
[on being told to lose weight for a part] If it were right for the role, I'd do it. If it was, "Lose weight just to lose weight", they'd get a nice "No, thanks". Show less «
I think guys are intimidated by any woman who appears to be strong. Now women are so independent, which I am. But I try to solve that by ask...Show more »
I think guys are intimidated by any woman who appears to be strong. Now women are so independent, which I am. But I try to solve that by asking men out. I'm not going to wait. Show less «
I've had to struggle with my weight since I was 17. There's a lot of added pressure because I work with so many beautiful, thin people, and ...Show more »
I've had to struggle with my weight since I was 17. There's a lot of added pressure because I work with so many beautiful, thin people, and I've been asked to lose weight before by producers. It really hurts but that's part of what this business is about. People expect me to be thin and perfect and I'm not. Show less «
[on her friendship with Jennie Garth] We have one of those friendships that started long ago, so I'm really thankful for it, and I know I'll...Show more »
[on her friendship with Jennie Garth] We have one of those friendships that started long ago, so I'm really thankful for it, and I know I'll have it for the rest of my life. Show less «
It's kind of the same thing with TV and film. I enjoy both! I think they're both difficult and rewarding in different ways and I would like ...Show more »
It's kind of the same thing with TV and film. I enjoy both! I think they're both difficult and rewarding in different ways and I would like to keep up with both sides to keep it going. Show less «
[about best friend Jennie Garth] I love her like a sister, I tell her everything.
[about best friend Jennie Garth] I love her like a sister, I tell her everything.
I mean there's things I'm embarrassed about, but I don't think I'm ever ashamed of anything just because my family tried to teach me, when I...Show more »
I mean there's things I'm embarrassed about, but I don't think I'm ever ashamed of anything just because my family tried to teach me, when I was young, that I should never be upset or feel bad about the decisions I make, in my life, and that you learn from them and you move on. So I don't think I can honestly say that I'm ashamed on something. I've been embarrassed about certain things, in my life, but never ashamed. We're all human, you know! We make mistakes, but we learn from them. Show less «
When someone can make me laugh from like the inside out, that's usually when I feel the most happy. And it's usually coming from my boyfrien...Show more »
When someone can make me laugh from like the inside out, that's usually when I feel the most happy. And it's usually coming from my boyfriend, my family and my closest friend. Show less «
My first date ever was actually with my very first boyfriend. We ended up being together for quite awhile, four and a half years. But it was...Show more »
My first date ever was actually with my very first boyfriend. We ended up being together for quite awhile, four and a half years. But it was actually with his sister who was quite older - a lot older than him, kind of like a guardian and...my mother, that was my first date and we went to the movies. It was really funny because, you know, they were actually saying 'we'll let you sit away from us and we'll sit back' and I'm like 'okay that's gonna be REALLY strange. So why don't you just sit with us and we'll watch the movie and we'll go home. Show less «
[about reading for Woody Allen's Hollywood Ending (2002)] I'll never forget that reading; it was an amazing experience. You come into the ro...Show more »
[about reading for Woody Allen's Hollywood Ending (2002)] I'll never forget that reading; it was an amazing experience. You come into the room and look over and see this amazing genius sitting there, this legend. It was all very exciting, but to this day, I still don't know what the movie is about. That's just how Woody works. Show less «
It was so funny cause like the first time they gave me a gun to shoot they were like, "Do you know how to shoot this?". And I'm like, "Yeah,...Show more »
It was so funny cause like the first time they gave me a gun to shoot they were like, "Do you know how to shoot this?". And I'm like, "Yeah, my dad taught me when I was 17". And they're like, "What!?". Ya know? So this character is so much like me that it's actually kinda fun, you know. Show less «
[on her first producing project, Just Pray (2005)] It's a very sweet, simple story, It is something that has been very close to my heart for...Show more »
[on her first producing project, Just Pray (2005)] It's a very sweet, simple story, It is something that has been very close to my heart for a long time. The hardest part was finally saying yes and committing; it was the producing side that was harder for me, trying to find a company we could trust and produce it with us. Everybody remembers you from your last five minutes, and I don't think people took me seriously. Being a woman doesn't help, and having people remember me from the types of shows that I've done doesn't, either. But I never like things to come easy, and this wasn't. Show less «
I don't know if I prefer one or the other. I can't really say,they're both really challenging, and they're both really fun.
I don't know if I prefer one or the other. I can't really say,they're both really challenging, and they're both really fun.
Luckily I have a very type-A personality and I'm very observant of my surroundings, I think that's probably because I'm a woman and because ...Show more »
Luckily I have a very type-A personality and I'm very observant of my surroundings, I think that's probably because I'm a woman and because I am an actress. I tend to watch what I do, and like any good actor, you constantly watch your surroundings and you listen to your fellow actors. I think that really helped me. Anytime I was on the set as an actress, I was always that girl who sat next to the camera and was like, "What does that do? What does this do?" And for years and years I was like that, but that was just me being curious. Luckily it paid off in the long run. Show less «
It's not uncommon for actors to get involved in the development and production side of the camera. Look at Drew Barrymore and her Flower Fil...Show more »
It's not uncommon for actors to get involved in the development and production side of the camera. Look at Drew Barrymore and her Flower Films or Sandra Bullock and Fortis Films. The list goes on. Having spent so many years on sets, working with different levels of material and building so many relationships with people, I felt capable and prepared to create a business entity that would allow me to direct and produce while complimenting my acting career. To remain stagnant and only focus on acting would be short-sighted. And, since I love the business and it's all I've ever known, it was a natural progression to start such a company. Show less «
Since I started out very young, I definitely knew where he was coming from, and I knew his attention span was probably a lot shorter than us...Show more »
Since I started out very young, I definitely knew where he was coming from, and I knew his attention span was probably a lot shorter than us adults. I had to play with that and work with that, but he really did give a beautiful performance. Show less «
[on her wedding to Brady Smith] It was such a perfect day and a perfect weekend. We had such an amazing time with our friends and our family...Show more »
[on her wedding to Brady Smith] It was such a perfect day and a perfect weekend. We had such an amazing time with our friends and our family and seriously, not one thing went wrong. We were very blessed to have everything go so beautifully. Every time I think about it, I get giddy. Show less «
[on filming A Killer Among Friends (1992)] We did the killing scene in one day--I was so drained I got back to the hotel and went, "Masseuse...Show more »
[on filming A Killer Among Friends (1992)] We did the killing scene in one day--I was so drained I got back to the hotel and went, "Masseuse!". Show less «
I'm a very free spirit; there are two sides to me, completely. If I could take you into my closet, you'd go, "Yep, you're right". It's split...Show more »
I'm a very free spirit; there are two sides to me, completely. If I could take you into my closet, you'd go, "Yep, you're right". It's split right down the middle. I have just as many sweatshirts as I have sweaters. I have just as many jeans as I have black pants. Show less «
Never leave your house unless you're feeling completely 100 percent. If there's a piece on you or something you're wearing that you don't fe...Show more »
Never leave your house unless you're feeling completely 100 percent. If there's a piece on you or something you're wearing that you don't feel extremely confident in, don't wear it. Change. Show less «
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