Tiffani Thiessen revealed that she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and a torn labrum, which caused significant hip pain. (Axelle Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
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Tiffani Thiessen’s active lifestyle hit a painful obstacle after the “Saved by the Bell” star learned she was suffering from more than just the usual aches and pains.
The 52-year-old actress shared her diagnosis and revealed she needed to undergo hip replacement surgery during an appearance on the “Breaking Bread with Tom Papa” podcast.
“I was a dancer when I was younger, which was a good thing,” Thiessen said. “I have a torn labrum. It’s a problem I have.
“This is what’s happening. Wait. Wait, guys,” she jokingly warned. “And then I found out during my second opinion that I was basically a German Shepherd. I had hip dysplasia.”
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Tiffani Thiessen attends the 2018 Creative Arts Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 8, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Thiessen claimed that her flexibility as a child, which helped her dance, could have caused her hip problems.
“I’ve heard that hip replacements aren’t as bad as knee and shoulder replacements,” she added.
Thiessen’s painful condition eventually forced her to put aside one of her favorite hobbies.
“My doctor didn’t say it was pickleball, but it probably didn’t help,” she admitted. “I haven’t been able to play the last few weeks because of my hip.”
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Thiessen often plays alongside his son, who started playing less than a year ago.
“Actually, he’s starting to beat me now. But I have a bad hip,” she pointed out.
Although Thiessen’s hip problems have forced her to slow down physically, the actress has shown no signs of wanting to step away from Hollywood.
The “Saved by the Bell” star said her hip problems forced her to take a break from pickleball, a sport she enjoyed with her son. (NBCU Photo Bank)
Thiessen began modeling and appearing in commercials as a child, winning the title of Miss Junior America in 1987. Her big break came in 1989 when she landed the role of Kelly Kapowski on “Saved by the Bell.” The character quickly became a fan favorite, helping to make Thiessen a teen idol.
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Tiffani Thiessen admitted that as she got older, she focused less on landing specific roles or winning awards and more on continuing her work in Hollywood. (Aaron Rapoport/Getty Images)
Decades after becoming a household name, Thiessen revealed that her biggest career goal had little to do with fame or recognition.
“It’s more about wanting to continue to have the opportunity to do it,” she said. “That’s what it is for me now. It’s not so specific, ‘I want this or that award or this type of movie or work with this type of person.’ I mean, I have a lot.
“But it’s more, the main thing is to keep doing it,” Thiessen added. “As we get older, that starts to diminish. And so being able to continue to do what I love is really what’s most important to me.”
In 1994, she joined the cast of “Beverly Hills, 90210” as the scheming Valerie Malone, demonstrating her ability to move beyond wholesome teenage roles.
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Tiffani Thiessen, married to Brady Smith, credited working alongside young actors with helping her feel young, despite the challenges of aging in the entertainment industry. (Chris Polk/FilmMagic)
Although Thiessen acknowledges the challenges of growing old in Hollywood, she credits a new generation of actors with helping her maintain a youthful outlook.
“I’ve been very lucky…most of the projects I’ve done have either been successful or just great to do,” she said on the podcast. “I really enjoy working with this younger generation. They are really fun.
“I think they keep me young,” she added. “Like, you know, at four in the morning, the mom says, ‘Oh my God, how many more scenes?’ And these kids are out there making TikToks.”
Thiessen plays Miss Graves, the headmistress of a supernatural boarding school for young witches and wizards, in “Coven Academy.” She also recently played the superhero She-Hulk in the 2024 animated special “LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition.”
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