Actress Tiffani Thiessen, 52, says she will need a hip replacement after being diagnosed with hip dysplasia, a condition she says she learned about only after seeking a second opinion for persistent pain.
Thiessen, best known for playing Kelly Kapowski on “Saved by the Bell” and Valerie Malone on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” discussed the diagnosis on the “Breaking Bread with Tom Papa” podcast.
“I was a dancer when I was younger, which was a good thing. I have a torn labrum. That’s one issue I have.”
She said her childhood dance training may have contributed to her hip problems later in life.
“This is what happens. Just wait. You guys just wait. And then I found out going to my second opinion that I’m basically a German shepherd. I have hip dysplasia.”
Thiessen said she has heard that hip replacement surgery tends to be less difficult than knee or shoulder replacements. In the meantime, the diagnosis has sidelined one of her regular activities.
“My doctor didn’t say it was pickleball, but it probably hasn’t helped. I have not been able to play in the last couple weeks because my hip’s been so bad.”
Thiessen often plays pickleball with her son, who took up the sport less than a year ago.
“He’s actually starting to beat me now. But I do have a bad hip.”
Despite the physical setback, Thiessen said she has no plans to slow her acting career. She began modeling and appearing in commercials as a child and won the Miss Junior America title in 1987 before landing the role of Kelly Kapowski in 1989, a part that made her a teen idol. In 1994 she joined “Beverly Hills, 90210” as Valerie Malone.
Asked about her career goals today, Thiessen said fame and accolades are no longer the point.
“It’s more just wanting to continue to have the opportunity to do it. That’s what it is for me now. It’s not so much specific, ‘I want this or this award or this type of film or work with this type of person.’ I mean, I have a lot of those. But, it’s more, the main thing is just getting to still do it. As we get older, that starts to get smaller. And, so, the fact that I get to still do what I love is really what is most important to me.”
Thiessen also credited younger castmates with keeping her energized on set.
“I’ve been very lucky … most of the projects that I’ve done have either been successful or just really great to do. I really like working with this young generation. Like, they just, they’re really fun. I think they’re keeping me young. Like, you know, four o’clock in the morning, the mom is like, ‘Oh my God, how many more scenes?’ And these kids are over there doing TikToks.”
Thiessen currently stars as Miss Graves, the head of a supernatural boarding school for young witches and warlocks, in “Coven Academy.” In 2024, she voiced the superhero She-Hulk in the animated special “LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition.”
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