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 (b. 1968) and Schuyler (b. 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-screen break when she was cast as the popular cheerleader Kelly Kapowski on the NBC series Saved by the Bell, 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, she was cast as the bitchy, conniving vixen Valerie Malone on Aaron Spelling's long-running hit series Beverly Hills, 90210. 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, in which she starred alongside Woody Allen.

She met actor Richard Ruccolo while starring as Marti in the hit sitcom Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place 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, 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.



Became engaged to actor Richard Ruccolo in October 2001. Has two dogs, Buck and Pearl, and two cats, Sadie and Savannah. Attended Valley Professional High School in Studio City, California; named class valedictorian in 1992. Won Teen Magazine's Great Model Search [1988] Admitted an ongoing struggle to fit Hollywood's waifish beauty ideal. Tied with another girl, Tiffany Weber, for the crown of Teen Magazine's Great Model Search 1988. Started her own production company, Tit 4 Tat Productions. Her father is of German descent. Her mother is of Greek, Turkish, and Welsh descent. Romantically linked to David Strickland at the time of his death [1999] Wedding dress was designed by Vera Wang [2005] Ranked #43 in "100 Greatest Teen Stars" (2006). Ranked #95 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women In The World" (2002). Won the CLCA Green Image Award presented by the "Green Expo/Green Image Awards" for her contributions to help residents learn sustainable living techniques and support the California Green Movement [2009]. Middle sister of Todd Tesen and Schuyler Thiessen.