Helene Koon; Educator, Writer and Actress

Helene Koon, 70, actress, director, theater producer, writer and educator who began her career starring in “Camille” at the Pasadena Playhouse. Known to audiences and students alike as “Pinki,” she earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Iowa, master’s degrees at the Pasadena Playhouse and Immaculate Heart College, and doctorate at UCLA. Her nonfiction books included biographies of Colley Cibber and Eugene Scribe and “The Female Spectator,” “How Shakespeare Won the West” and “Dictionary of Gold Rush Performers.” She taught 18th century literature, drama and the humanities at Cal State San Bernardino and twice earned the San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce award for excellence in teaching. On Feb. 13 in Hollywood.