Here's How Celebrities Are Mourning The Death Of Della Reese

"The great Della Reese was one of the great influences in my life." Betty Buckley said. "She taught me so much about singing, phrasing and clarifying lyrics."

Della Reese, the singer and actor best known for her role as Tess on the television show Touched by an Angel, has died. She was 86 year old.

The news was first reported by People magazine on Monday. Roma Downey, Reese's costar on Touched by an Angel, shared the news via her personal Instagram.

"On behalf of her husband, Franklin Lett, and all her friends and family, I share with you the news that our beloved Della Reese has passed away peacefully at her California home surrounded by love," she wrote. "Through her life and work she touched and inspired the lives of millions of people. She was a mother to me and I had the privilege of working with her side by side for so many years on Touched By An Angel."

Reese began her venture into Hollywood as a singer, beginning with gospel before making hits as an R&B act. Soon after, Reese broadened her résumé and made her mark on television with the talk show Della, which ran from 1969 to 1970, making her the first black woman to host her own variety show.

That led to even bigger opportunities, like working with Johnny Carson, the former host of The Tonight Show.

"One day in the hallway, we passed each other and he said, 'How'd you like to try out hosting?'" Reese said in an interview discussing Carson. "And I said I'd love it."

That simple interaction led to Reese becoming the first black woman to guest-host the iconic late-night show.

In addition to Touched by an Angel, Reese is known for films A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Beauty Shop, and the Eddie Murphy classic Harlem Nights.

Here's how people in entertainment are reacting to Reese's death:

Get Out director Jordan Peele offered his condolences...

R.I.P. Della Reese. https://t.co/d0mLfhLYYh

The Rev. Al Sharpton tweeted that he was "saddened to hear of the passing" of Reese.

Saddened to hear of the passing of Della Reese. I’ve enjoyed her artistry as long as I️ can remember. May God grant her to Rest In Peace.

Former Miami Dolphins player Chad Johnson sent a touching tweet about Reese and her Harlem Nights costar Redd Foxx cracking jokes in heaven...

I know Della Reese & Redd Foxx are going at w/ the jokes as soon as she crossed those gates...

Questlove honored the late star with a vintage photograph, appropriately captioned "The Supreme #DellaReese thank you!"

Author Keith Boykin shared a memorable clip from Harlem Nights...

Classic Della Reese scene from the 1989 film Harlem Nights. May she rest in peace.

Precious star Gabourey Sidibe chimed in too, reacting with an emotional rest in peace tweet...

Acclaimed Broadway performer Betty Buckley said, "The great Della Reese was one of the great influences in my life."

The great Della Reese was one of the great influences in my life. She taught me so much about singing, phrasing & c… https://t.co/HKvSPkAhqP

And internet star Jay Versace thanked Reese for helping him during a difficult time.

RIP Della Reese. When my dad died “touched by an angel” was the only thing that was me sane. Thank you for helping me at such a dark time

American Crime Story actor Keesha Sharp said, "Thank you for inspiring so many."

RIP to the amazing Angel, Della Reese . Thank you for inspiring so many #HomeNow

"Della Reese was truly God's angel on earth," Cicely Tyson tweeted. "She taught us grace, generosity and humility through her daily actions."

#DellaReese was truly God's angel on earth. She taught us grace, generosity and humility through her daily actions.… https://t.co/q0gXZGSORU

Skip to footer