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‘Saved by the Bell’ star Tiffani Thiessen says she needs hip replacement at 52 after painful diagnosis
By Lauryn Overhultz
Published November 13, 2026
Tiffani Thiessen revealed she had been diagnosed with hip dysplasia and a torn labrum, which caused significant hip pain. (Axelle Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Tiffani Thiessen's active lifestyle hit a painful roadblock after the "Saved by the Bell" star learned she was dealing with more than just the usual aches and pains.
The 52-year-old actress shared her diagnosis and revealed she has to have a hip replacement 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 explained. "I have a torn labrum. That's one issue I have.
"This is what happens. Just wait. You guys just wait," she jokingly warned. "And then I found out going to my second opinion that I'm basically a German shepherd. I have hip dysplasia."
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Tiffani Thiessen attends the 2018 Creative Arts Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater Sept. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Thiessen claimed her flexibility as a child, which helped her to dance, might have caused her hip issues.
"I hear that hip replacements aren't as bad as knee and shoulder," she added.
Thiessen's painful condition eventually forced her to put one of her favorite pastimes on hold.
"My doctor didn't say it was pickleball, but it probably hasn't helped," she admitted. "I have not been able to play in the last couple weeks because my hip's been so bad."
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Thiessen often plays alongside her son, who started playing less than a year ago.
"He's actually starting to beat me now. But I do have a bad hip," she emphasized.
While Thiessen's hip problems forced her to slow down physically, the actress showed 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 playing pickleball, a sport she enjoyed with her son. (NBCU Photo Bank)
Thiessen began modeling and appearing in commercials as a child, winning the Miss Junior America title 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 establish Thiessen as 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 to 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 just wanting to continue to have the opportunity to do it," she said. "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," Thiessen added. "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."
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, who is married to Brady Smith, credited working alongside younger actors with helping her feel youthful, despite the challenges of aging in the entertainment industry. (Chris Polk/FilmMagic)
While Thiessen acknowledged the challenges of getting older in Hollywood, she credited a new generation of actors with helping her maintain a youthful outlook.
"I've been very lucky … most of the projects that I've done have either been successful or just really great to do," she said during the podcast. "I really like working with this young generation. Like, they just, they're really fun.
"I think they're keeping me young," she added. "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 stars as Miss Graves, the head of a supernatural boarding school for young witches and warlocks, in "Coven Academy." She also recently voiced the superhero She-Hulk in the animated special "LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition" in 2024.
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