Spotlight On: Tiffani Thiessen

Celebrating a long, successful television career spanning two decades, Tiffani Amber Thiessen first arrived on the television landscape after landing a major television role that would keep her steadily employed for 5 years playing the vivacious Kelly on the teen series Saved by the Bell. During that same period she also made guest appearances on family sitcoms: Charles in Charge, Married With Children, Valerie, Step by Step, and Blossom. As she advanced into her teenage years, she also made appearances in more dramatic made-for-television films such as A Killer Among Friends, The Stranger Beside Me, She Fought Alone, Sweet Dreams and Buried Secrets. But perhaps wishing to meld her innate talent for comedy with more light-weight dramatic television, she went directly from Saved by the Bell to starring in the hot teenage phenomenon, Beverly Hills, 90210. So for the better part of a decade, Tiffani was best known as either the lively Kelly from Saved by the Bell or as conniving Valerie on 90210.

Tiffani and the rest of the Saved By The Bell Gang

Then, in 2000, when 90210 finally wrapped its final season, Tiffani continued to work steadily appearing in an eight episode arc on Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place appearing opposite Ryan Reynolds, Traylor Howard and a little known actor at the time, Nathan Fillion (who now stars in the ABC series Castle). She also appeared in three episodes of the comedy series Just Shoot Me which starred Laura San Giacomo and Enrico Colantoni. Then she took a quick detour to dabble in the Woody Allen theatrical film Hollywood Ending which starred Tea Leoni, Debra Messing and Treat Williams.

But the lure of television was too tempting and she returned in 2002 to star in the television series Fastlane opposite Peter Facinelli (who stars as Carlisle Cullen in the Twilight films) and Bill Bellamy, which ran for two seasons. After playing the enigmatic Billie Chambers in Fastlane, Tiffani returned to her comedic roots to play Victoria Hill in the comedy series Good Morning, Miami which starred Mark Feuerstein (best known now for his work on Royal Pains). She also appeared for a brief five episode arc in the dramedy series What About Brian with Barry Watson, Matt Davis (who plays Alaric on Vampire Diaries) and Sarah Lancaster (best known as Ellie on Chuck).

Tiffani with White Collar co-star Tim DeKay

However, in 2009, in a stroke of good fortune, Tiffani secured the coveted role of Elizabeth Burke in the red-hot series White Collar. Playing along side Tim DeKay and Matthew Bomer, Tiffani is the heart of the show. She plays Peter’s loving yet insightful wife who helps keep the balance between the naturally friction-filled relationship of Peter, the FBI agent, and Neal, the reformed con man. It is Tiffani’s own warm personality and inquisitive nature that shine brightly through her character. In what could be just another clever police procedural, Tiffani helps keep the series firmly grounded in the solid interpersonal relationships amongst the characters. Portraying Elizabeth, a strong woman who owns an event planning business, her unwavering love and support of Peter reminds the audience that behind every good man stands an even better woman. Tiffani is a rare find in Hollywood: a woman with a heart of gold.

White Collar airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on USA Network.