On July 12, 1967, Natalie Desselle was born in Alexandria, Louisiana. She graduated from Peabody Magnet High School and proceeded to go to college to attain higher education. She attended Grambling State University for two and a half years where her passion became clear; she found herself engulfed by one of her first theatre experiences in the Grambling state production, “Bubbling Brown Sugar.” From there Desselle was destined for Hollywood movie production.
The world received the devastating news that on Monday morning December 7, 2020, Natalie Desselle Reid at 53 years old passed away due to colon cancer. It was a private battle she was facing with the support of her husband Leonard Reid and three children that she leaves memories of priceless family time with.
Desselle Reid developed the reputation of being “sweet and giving” as her peers recollect interactions with her during this unfortunate time. Recounting her steps, Desselle Reid realized early on that she had a gift of mastering multiple characters and found the stage to be a fitting home to invite people to showcase her talent. Her break came from Robi Reed, casting her in F. Gary Gray’s production “Set It Off.” This led to her guest-starring role on the noted sitcom “Family Matters”. She became an L.A. native, learning the community of Inglewood.
Desselle Reid stuck to her journey to becoming a renowned actress and accomplished that vision on numerous accounts, her legacy lives on through her roles she played as Mickey (B.A.P.S, 1997), Minerva ( Cinderella, 1997) Jenny Jackson ( How to be a player, 1997), Tammy ( Madea’s Big Happy Family, 2011), and She was in 66 episodes of the comedy sitcom “Eve”. Desselle Reid’s list of acting roles mirrors her devotion to the arts and the willpower to always work on polishing her craft.
Desselle Reid at 53 years old passed away from colon cancer, her manager Delores Robinson announced the news Monday afternoon, “Natalie Desselle the beautiful talented actress passed away this morning. Natalie was a bright light. She was an amazing actress and comedian but also an awesome mother & wife. Sending prayers to her family. I had the pleasure of managing her career,” and colleague Holly Robison Peete relayed the news of her homecoming via Twitter.
Quoting the tweet Holly Robinson Peete wrote, “I got to know her when my mom was managing her. She will be so missed…sending out prayers to her children and husband,” The two roles that will always remain by her name is beloved mother and wife. Co-star to the original performance of B.A.P.S Halle berry responded via social media that she was “totally shocked and will need a minute.”
The stage was beckoning her name again, as she prepared for B.A.P.S live play before the COVID-19 outbreak delayed production. Desselle Reid learned of her condition earlier this year and spent the last few days in hospice care. The legacy she leaves behind lives within the characters she created and they will continue to live on as the world is currently mourning over the tragic news.
