Sad news has emerged for fans of Beverly Hills, 90210. Actress and former beauty queen Kimmarie Johnson has died at the age of 50, leaving behind a career that took her from the pageant stage to Hollywood. According to her niece, Rhonda Scott, Johnson experienced a “heart event” at her Los Angeles home on October 27. She was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where doctors diagnosed her with a heart aneurysm condition.

Her niece remembered her as a woman who brought warmth and positivity wherever she went. “She radiated a light so strong and bright,” Scott told People, adding that everyone who met her felt her positive energy. Johnson appeared as Judy in a 1998 episode of Beverly Hills, 90210, becoming part of the popular show’s long history. She had first made headlines several years earlier through an unexpected achievement in the world of beauty pageants.

In 1992, Johnson became the first African American woman to win Miss Pennsylvania USA. She had entered the competition just one day before the deadline and had no previous pageant experience, competing against 92 other women. Her victory earned her a place in the 1993 Miss USA competition, where she finished among the top six. She later moved to Los Angeles in 1996 to pursue modeling and acting, with her first film credit coming in Let’s Talk About Sex in 1998.

Johnson went on to appear in projects including Dude, Where’s My Car?, Shadow Fury, Wanda at Large, Break a Leg and Tucker War. In 2003, she welcomed her son, Cameron Nino, and stepped away from acting for a period to focus on motherhood. She also studied at The Groundlings during that time. Today, her family and those who knew her are remembering not only her achievements in entertainment, but also the kindness, warmth and bright spirit she brought into their lives. ❤️