Sri Lankan Actress Maureen Hingert Dies at 88

Maureen Hingert, the Sri Lankan-born actress and former Miss Universe second runner-up, died at age 88 from liver failure at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, as confirmed by her daughter Marisa Zamparelli. Hingert gained international recognition after being crowned Miss Ceylon in 1955 and becoming the first Ceylonese contestant to win an award at the televised Miss Universe pageant. She went on to a Hollywood career, appearing as a royal wife in 'The King and I' (1956) and in films such as 'Gun Fever' and 'Gunmen from Laredo.' Also known as Jana Davi in her acting projects, she was a dancer who performed at major Los Angeles venues. Hingert was married to designer Mario Armond Zamparelli, with whom she had three daughters, and later to William J. Ballard. She is remembered for pioneering South Asian representation in Hollywood and on the global stage during the 1950s.