Natalie Desselle-Reid

American actress (1967–2020)

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Natalie Ann Desselle-Reid (July 12, 1967 – December 7, 2020) was an American actress who performed in several films, including B.A.P.S., Def Jam's How to Be a Player, and Cinderella, and the television series Built to Last, For Your Love, and Eve.

Biography

Early life

Desselle-Reid was one of four children born to Thelma Lee (née Sherman; 1945–1999) and Paul Desselle Jr. in Alexandria, Louisiana. Desselle-Reid attended Peabody Magnet High School, graduating in 1985. Desselle-Reid later attended Grambling State University.

Career

At Grambling, Desselle-Reid developed a deep interest in the theatre, and appeared in several productions during her time there. In 1997, she played evil step-sister Minerva in the Disney made-for-television movie Cinderella. Desselle-Reid starred in many films, including Madea's Big Happy Family, and guest starred in Family Matters. She was Janie Egins on Eve for three seasons. She is best known for her role as Mickey in B.A.P.S. and appeared in the 2017 series Ya Killin' Me.

Personal life

Desselle-Reid married Leonard Reid in 2003; they had three children.

Death

Desselle-Reid died due to colon cancer on December 7, 2020, at the age of 53. Numerous celebrities in the entertainment industry paid tribute to Desselle-Reid including Eve, Holly Robinson Peete, Issa Rae, and Madea's Big Happy Family co-stars Shannon Kane & Shad "Bow Wow" Moss. Desselle-Reid's B.A.P.S. co-star Halle Berry posted a tribute via Instagram saying "Natalie represented actual black women, not what black women are perceived to be. For that she was often underrated, passed over – deprived of the platform she truly deserved. But her light continues to shine through the people who grew up watching her, the people who knew her best and those of us who loved her. I'll love you forever my sweet friend."