February 22 - Remembering

Cyrinda Foxe American actress, model, and publicist who became a notable figure in the rock 'n' roll scene of the 1970s and 1980s. Born Kathleen Victoria Hetzekian on February 22, 1952, in Santa Monica, California, she grew up in what she described as an abusive household. Of Armenian descent, she left home before finishing high school, briefly lived in Texas, and then settled in New York City, where she reinvented herself as Cyrinda Foxe—a name inspired by a 1960s cocktail dress label.

In New York, Foxe immersed herself in the vibrant nightlife, particularly at Max’s Kansas City, a legendary hangout for artists, musicians, and cultural icons. Her striking looks—often compared to Marilyn Monroe due to her platinum blonde hair and bold red lipstick—caught the attention of influential figures. She worked as a publicist for MainMan, David Bowie’s management company, and began a relationship with Bowie in 1972. This connection led to her appearance in the music video for his song “The Jean Genie,” which he reportedly wrote with her in mind. Foxe later spoke fondly of Bowie, calling him a "great lover" and cherishing their time together.

Foxe’s personal life was as colorful as her career. In 1977, she married David Johansen, the frontman of the proto-punk band New York Dolls, but the marriage lasted less than a year. While still married, she met Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, left Johansen, and married Tyler in 1978. The couple had a daughter, Mia Tyler, born in 1978, who later became a successful plus-size model and actress. Foxe and Tyler’s marriage was tumultuous, marked by drug addiction, infidelity, and abuse, and they divorced in 1987, just before Aerosmith’s major comeback.

As an actress, Foxe is best known for her role in Andy Warhol’s 1977 film *Bad*, which cemented her status as a figure in the underground art and music scenes. She also appeared in Bowie’s “The Jean Genie” video and had minor roles in other projects. In 1997, she published a memoir, *Dream On: Livin’ on the Edge with Steven Tyler and Aerosmith*, co-written with Danny Fields. The book stirred controversy when Foxe announced plans to include nude photos of Tyler in the paperback edition, prompting a successful lawsuit from Tyler in 1999 to block their release. She later attempted to sell the photos on a website, which shut down by 2000.

Foxe’s later years were challenging. In 2001, she suffered a mild stroke that left her partially paralyzed, and she struggled financially, relying on Medicaid and food stamps. A benefit concert at CBGB, organized by Myra Friedman, raised funds for her, with contributions from Tyler (who also paid her hospital bills) and Bowie. In August 2002, she married musician Keith Waa at the Gramercy Park Hotel, where Tyler had secured her a room. Tragically, Foxe died just days later, on September 7, 2002, at age 50, from an inoperable brain tumor.

Cyrinda Foxe left a lasting mark as a muse and personality in the glam and punk rock worlds. Her bold style, magnetic presence, and connections to rock legends like Bowie, Johansen, and Tyler made her a symbol of the era’s wild, rebellious spirit.