Kimmarie Johnson, '90s Actress, Model and Miss USA Finalist, Dies at 50

Kimmarie Johnson, the model and actress who lit up’90s TV and early 2000s film, has died at 50. According to her niece Rhonda Scott, Johnson suffered a heart event at her Los Angeles home on October 27 and died peacefully at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, where doctors diagnosed a heart aneurysm condition.

Johnson’s path to Hollywood was anything but typical. She grew up in Wilkinson, Pennsylvania, and studied elementary education and child psychology before spotting an ad in the newspaper about a Miss Pennsylvania pageant with a two-thousand-dollar prize. She entered, won, and eventually reached the finals of Miss USA without any training or coaching. From there she modeled for brands like Vidal Sassoon, Oscar de la Renta and United Colors of Benetton, then moved to Los Angeles, where she landed roles on Beverly Hills, 90210 and in Dude, Where’s My Car?, plus Wanda At Large and Break A Leg.

In 2011 she launched her own skincare line, SkinGlow by Kimmarie, proving she was never done reinventing. Her family remembers her as someone who“radiated a light so strong and bright,”and said people who came in contact with her felt nothing but positive energy. Which Kimmarie Johnson role or moment do you remember most? Tell us in the comments.