'Saved by the Bell' star Tiffani Thiessen shares painful health diagnosis

Anthony Robledo, USA TODAYSat, November 14, 2026 at 5:28 PM UTC

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Tiffani Thiessen is opening up about a new health development.

On the Nov. 10 episode of the "Breaking Bread" podcast, the "Saved by the Bell" actress, 52, revealed that she needs a hip replacement after being diagnosed with hip dysplasia.

"I was a dancer when I was younger, which was a good thing," Thiessen told host Tom Papa. "I have a torn labrum. That’s one issue I have."

The former child dancer playfully warned others as they get older: "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," she said.

Tiffani Thiessen shares health diagnosis: What is hip dysplasia?

According to the Mayo Clinic, hip dysplasia occurs when a hip socket doesn't fully cover the ball portion of the upper thighbone, causing the hip joint to be partially or completely dislocated.

Before surgery, Thiessen said she hasn't been able to play pickleball in the past few weeks because her hip has "been so bad," adding, “My doctor didn’t say it was pickleball, but it probably hasn’t helped."

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The "Coven Academy" star said she's been playing the sport with her son, Holt, 11, who just started less than a year ago. "He’s actually starting to beat me now. But I do have a bad hip," she quipped.

Tiffani Thiessen reveals residual total from 'Saved by the Bell'

The "White Collar" alum's health update comes after she revealed she no longer gets compensated for her work on "Saved by the Bell" during a Sept. 24 interview on Page Six Radio.

"I think it's dried out," she said. "It's like, negative now. It probably costs more to print the check."

Thiessen, who was 15 when she was cast as cheerleader Kelly Kapowski, said the actors "didn't have pull on that show at all."

"We made nothing, and we just did our job," she said.

TV actors typically receive residuals when their show is used beyond what is "covered by initial compensation": when it re-airs, comes out on video/DVD and is broadcast in syndication, according to SAG-AFTRA, the labor union covering screen and radio performers.

Contributing: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Saved by the Bell' star Tiffani Thiessen shares painful health diagnosis

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