Actress and former Miss USA contestant Kimmarie Johnson dies at 50

Kimmarie Johnson, who appeared as Judy in a 1998 episode of Beverly Hills, 90210, died on Oct. 27 at age 50 after a heart-related event at her Los Angeles home, according to her niece Rhonda Scott. She was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where doctors diagnosed a heart aneurysm condition.

"She radiated a light so strong and bright," Scott said, adding that Johnson’s presence left people feeling "positive energy" and that her family would "continue to honor her life forever."

Johnson began her career as a flight attendant before signing with the Docherty modeling agency. She won the 1992 Miss Pennsylvania USA title, which qualified her for the 1993 Miss USA pageant, where she placed among the top six contestants. After moving to Los Angeles in 1996, she continued modeling and transitioned to acting, with her first film credit in Troy Byer’s drama Let’s Talk About Sex (1998). Her subsequent roles included appearances in Dude, Where’s My Car?, Shadow Fury, Wanda at Large, Break a Leg and Tucker War’s.

In 2003, Johnson gave birth to her son, Cameron Nino, and temporarily stepped back from acting to study at The Groundlings comedy school.