Natalie Desselle Reid Dies: ‘B.A.P.S.’ and ‘Madea’ Actress Was 53

Frances Price
Natalie Desselle Reid (Credit: Lionsgate)

Natalie Desselle Reid, an actress who had roles in the films B.A.P.S. (1997), Madea’s Big Happy Family (2011) and on the sitcom Eve, died Monday. She was 53.

Desselle Reid’s death was confirmed by Je’Caryous Johnson, CEO of Je’Caryous Entertainment, which was working on a stage production of B.A.P.S.

“It is with great sadness and heavy, heavy hearts that Je’Caryous Johnson and the entire Je’Caryous Entertainment family mourns the passing of one of our own, our sweet, unforgettable actress/comedian Natalie Desselle Reid,” Johnson said in a statement.

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He went on to describe the actress as a “show-stopping personality.”

“Immediately upon meeting and working with her, we fell in love with her undeniably witty, always giving and caring and hilariously show-stopping personality,” Johnson added.

While no cause of death was given, TMZ reported that Desselle Reid had been battling colon cancer. The website said she was in hospice care, surrounded by family members when she passed away.

The Alexandria, Louisiana native’s former co-stars offered their condolences on social media.

B.A.P.S. actress and Oscar winner Halle Berry shared a GIF of Desselle Reid, along with the caption: “I’m in total shock … completely heartbroken. Gonna need a minute.”

Eve actor Jason George posted a picture of the show’s cast on Twitter and wrote: “For three of the most fun years of my life, I worked side by side with #NatalieDesselleReid on #Eve. Effortlessly hilarious, inherently empathetic, Natalie was instantly every woman’s girlfriend and every guy’s sister. Much love, Nat.”


Holly Robinson Peete, who starred on the sitcom For Your Love with Desselle Reid, called the late actress “a bright shining star.”

“Just absolutely decimated by this news,” Peete tweeted, along with a collage of photos. “Actress Natalie Desselle, a bright shining star passed away this morning. I got to know her when my mom was managing her. She will be so missed… sending out prayers to her children and husband. Rest In Peace, Sweet Girl.”

Rapper and actor Bow Wow, who appeared alongside Desselle Reid in Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family also remembered the actress on social media.

“Sending my love and condolences out to Natalie Desselle family,” he tweeted.

The actress is said to be survived by her husband, Leonard, and three children, Sereno 9, Summer 3 and Sasha 1.

The image above of Desselle Reid is courtesy of Lionsgate.

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