In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall

Thembi Ford 18 December 2009 71 Comments

Information is still developing, but Alaina Reed Hall passed away on December 17 at the age of sixty-three. The cause of her death has not yet been officially reported but the actress, best known for her roles as Rose Holloway on 227 and Olivia on Sesame Street, has been very public about her ongoing battle with breast cancer. She participated in the documentary “Breast Cancer Examined: An African-American Perspective,” to commemorate 2009 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and share her courageous approach to fighting the disease.

Born Bernice Ruth Reed in Ohio, Alaina Reed began her career in early 70s theater, appearing in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions such as Chicago, Hair, and Eubie. In 1976 she landed the role of Sesame Street’s Olivia. From then until 1988 Reed presented children with one of the earliest depictions of positive black womanhood, demonstrated the warmth of adult sibling relationships with her brother Gordon, and straight up taught us letters and how to count. In 1985 Reed joined the original cast of 227 as Rose Lee, one of my favorite black sitcom characters ever. Rose was sassy but sensitive, responsible but mischievous, and always good for showcasing Reed’s excellent singing voice through some wacky plot device like a church choir solo or random sing-off that would somehow keep everyone in the building from being evicted.

Kevin Peter Hall (the 7′2″ actor who portrayed Harry in Harry and The Hendersons and Predator in the movies of the same name) guest starred as Rose’s love interest on 227 and in 1988 the two began a real-life relationship, marrying both on the show and in real life. Sadly, he passed away in 1991 from complications of AIDS contracted through a blood transfusion. 227 was canceled that same year but the now Alaina Reed Hall continued to act until her death, steadily appearing on sitcoms such as A Different World, Friends, Ally McBeal, and making the best of a recurring role on the short-lived series Cleghorne. She also returned to her theater roots with a one-woman show, “Alaina at the Bijou.”

The clip I’ve chosen is a great snapshot of Rose Holloway from 227 – it’s got a little neck-wagging but also the requisite girlfriend hug at the end. We lost a true legend!

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71 Comments »

Ti Kendrick Randall said:

awwww! i’m so sorry to hear this! she will be missed.

# 18 December 2009 at 11:01 am

Tafari said:

Im happy that C-listed get love on your blog. Alaina was the best! She made 227 for me. She seemed like such a beautiful person!

# 18 December 2009 at 11:31 am

[fung'ke][blak][chik] said:

She was one of my favs! I remember the hair styles she wore on Sesame St..everything from cornrolls with beads & her short fro was always something I admired about her…I remember as a kid, my uncle introducing me to his girlfriend…I kept on asking her if she was Gordon’s sister, from Sesame St…b/c they looked just alike..I went to school and told my friends that my uncle was marrying the lady from Sesame St..yeah..they looked at me like I was crazy..lol

# 18 December 2009 at 11:33 am

RIP, Alaina Reed Hall | afrobella said:

[...] news, via What Would Thembi Do — television and theatrical actress, Alaina Reed Hall, has passed away from causes believed [...]

# 18 December 2009 at 12:14 pm

jazzfan360 said:

This is so, so sad. A great performer who never got her due.

# 18 December 2009 at 3:23 pm

Nick Wells said:

Too bad that she is no longer with us. I remember her as Olivia on Sesame street.

# 19 December 2009 at 12:48 am

dee-dee said:

I ENJOYED HER WORK ON TELEVISION . SHE WILL BE VERY MISSED.

# 19 December 2009 at 1:52 am

ladybird (ladybird4jodeci) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-18T22:53:04 RIP Alaina Reed Hall ("Rose" from the sitcom 227): [link to post] [...]

# 19 December 2009 at 2:53 am

Thembi (thembithembi) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-18T23:32:07 Actress Alaina Reed Hall dies at 63. Read about her life at WWTD [link to post] [...]

# 19 December 2009 at 3:32 am

sfxmaven (sfxmaven) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-18T23:32:07 RIP Olivia from Sesame Street. I am very sad. [link to post] [...]

# 19 December 2009 at 3:33 am

Julian said:

I’m so sad about this, but reading your tribute made me smile and feel SO good. This is a beautiful tribute, Thembi. One that makes me so happy that there’s someone like you to really honor black American entertainers who touch our lives and never receive their due. Thank you thank you thank you for this.

# 19 December 2009 at 6:12 am

Tim Dunn said:

To All:

This is a wonderful tribute and the comments are very touching! I am/was a very close friend of Alaina’s for about 19 years and this is a difficult time for all of us. However, please note that Alaina did not pass away on December 18th, she actually passed away on December 17th.

She fought long and hard and her light was indeed a VERY bright one and will continue to shine and illunminate all of our lives from above. Her talent was immeasureable from replacing Jennifer Holiday in Dreamgirls on Broadway to Sesame Street, the T.V. series 227, Cleghorne, and countless others and her persona was unmistakeable. There is a void here on earth, but now the angels are singing with Alaina leading the choir once again!

Thank you all for your outpouring support for her…it is truly appreciated by all.

# 19 December 2009 at 12:59 pm

Wanda D. Hudson said:

Thank God for sharing her with us. Her beautiful legacy will live on.

# 19 December 2009 at 1:32 pm

Belinda Mitchell said:

I’m sorry she is not with us any longer.

# 19 December 2009 at 4:31 pm

DJ Marilyn Thomas (DJMarilyn) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-19T17:14:23 @purpletronic Alaina Hall ("Rose" from 227) passed away [link to post] [...]

# 19 December 2009 at 9:14 pm

Lisa P (take_asadsong) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-19T18:02:01 Alaina Reed Hall, Sesame Street's Olivia, died of breast cancer this week. [link to post] [...]

# 19 December 2009 at 10:02 pm

Elita said:

I’m saddened by this news. I always loved Alaina on 227, one of my favorite shows growing up. This is another reminder that black women need to be ultra vigilant about taking care of ourselves, as the form of breast cancer we get is more aggressive than the kind that afflicts women of other races. Please do your best to eat healthy, stay at a healthy weight, exercise, get your mammograms, do your monthly breast self-exams, and breastfeed your babies!!

# 20 December 2009 at 12:20 am

Weekend Crunch Crumbs: Kardashians Channel Beyonce; Lil Wayne Detained; Don’t Look Now — Tara Reid Playboy Pics! said:

[...] Reed Hall, best remembered for her roles as Rose Holloway on 227 and Sesame Street’s Olivia, passed away Thursday after a long battle against breast cancer. She was [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 1:23 am

Weekend Crunch Crumbs: Kardashians Channel Beyonce; Lil Wayne Detained; Don’t Look Now — Tara Reid Playboy Pics! said:

[...] Reed Hall, best remembered for her roles as Rose Holloway on 227 and Sesame Street’s Olivia, passed away Thursday after a long battle against breast cancer. She was [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 3:01 am

Ron said:

There is a new Angel in Heaven. I so loved her on Sesame Street when I was a kid.

# 20 December 2009 at 9:15 am

Linda (Soulsitede) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] RT @SONOFELLIS [link to post] Alaina [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 9:16 am

Linda (desktophippie) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T05:26:28 Sad news, guys. Olivia from Sesame Street has died [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 9:26 am

John Gholson (gholson) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T11:51:25 RIP Alaina Reed Hall (aka Olivia from 'Sesame Street') [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 3:51 pm

KeneritzMediaPR (KeneritzMediaPR) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T12:20:41 In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 4:20 pm

Kim Ford (_kimford_) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T12:30:59 RT @HarlemWriter: In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 4:31 pm

Jeremy Osborne (Ozzy) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T12:50:03 Never mind Brittany Murphy, Olivia from Seasame Street died?!?! [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 4:50 pm

Lin (Lin_Dolin) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T12:52:10 RT @cc_chapman: RT @Ozzy: Never mind Brittany Murphy, Olivia from Seasame Street died?!?! [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 4:52 pm

seanhackbarth (seanhackbarth) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T12:56:02 RT @Ozzy: Never mind Brittany Murphy, Olivia from Seasame Street died?!?! [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 4:56 pm

Donna Mugavero (MsInformation) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] RT @Ozzy: Never mind Brittany Murphy, Olivia from Seasame Street died?!?! [link to post] {via [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 4:57 pm

Jack Daniel (jack_daniel) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] Never mind Brittany Murphy, Olivia from Seasame Street died?!?! [link to post] (via @cc_chapman and [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 4:58 pm

Jane Ullah (janetalkstech) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] RT @jack_daniel: Never mind Brittany Murphy, Olivia from Seasame Street died?!?! [link to post] (via @cc_chapman and [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 5:00 pm

L. Don Campbell, II (halfastick) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] RT @gholson: RIP Alaina Reed Hall (Olivia from 'Sesame Street') [link to post] Apparently we missed this one in the [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 5:24 pm

James Heller-Jackson (geekjames) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T13:29:36 To me, more upsetting than Brittany Murphy. RT @jckiedncki: RIP Alaina Reed Hall, Olivia from Sesame Street. [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 5:29 pm

rogueclown (rogueclown) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T13:32:04 RT: @jack_daniel: Never mind Brittany Murphy, Olivia from Seasame Street died?!?! [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 5:32 pm

symbioid (symbioid) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T13:32:04 RT @r4y3: RT: @rogueclown: RT: @jack_daniel: Never mind Brittany Murphy, Olivia from Seasame Street died?!?! [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 5:33 pm

-[b10w]- (b10w) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] Never mind Brittany Murphy, Olivia from Seasame Street died?!?! [link to post] (via @cc_chapman and @Ozzy) /via [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 5:34 pm

Kim Ford (_kimford_) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] RIP Alaina Reed Hall ([link to post]), Jennifer Jones (http://nyti.ms/5dBSHA) & Brittany [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 5:35 pm

sally simpleton (sallysimpleton) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T13:32:34 And another — I loved Olivia. RT @jckiedncki RIP Alaina Reed Hall, Olivia from Sesame Street. [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 5:36 pm

The Russian Assassin (CCCPAssassin) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] One less vote for Obama's re-election: [link to post] (that is, if he hasn't declared martial law & suspended elections by [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 5:37 pm

Kelly (dancingvalentin) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] RT @lilnerdette RIP Alaina Reed-Hall (actress on Sesame St, 227) [link to post] (h/t to @drgoddess & [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 6:04 pm

Weekend Crunch Crumbs: Kardashians Channel Beyonce; Lil Wayne Detained; Don’t Look Now — Tara Reid Playboy Pics! | Susanquandt.com said:

[...] Reed Hall, best remembered for her roles as Rose Holloway on 227 and Sesame Street’s Olivia, passed away Thursday after a long battle against breast cancer. She was [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 6:21 pm

Lea T. Bickerton (bickertonlaw) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] RT @drgoddess RT @lilnerdette: RIP Alaina Reed-Hall (actress on Sesame St, 227) [link to post] (h/t to @drgoddess & [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 6:24 pm

Diana Lynn W. (La_Diana) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T14:32:11 RT @WeeLaura:Local indie record store AND BrittanyMurphy died today.2009 is officially an asshole||+Olivia frm SesameSt [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 6:33 pm

Deborah (lilnerdette) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] RIP Alaina Reed-Hall (actress on Sesame St, 227) [link to post] (h/t to @drgoddess & [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 6:34 pm

shereen (ShereenNicole) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T14:33:25 RT @NycVirgo80: Actress from 227 dies too! [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 6:35 pm

Ben Douwsma (ninesnowboots) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T14:33:25 WTF? Olivia from Sesame Street is also dead. [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 6:36 pm

CFSista said:

OMG. I’m just finding out about Alaina’s passing right now! So sad to hear…RIP…….

# 20 December 2009 at 7:02 pm

Mignon Renee (msladysoul) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall [link to post] (via @thembithembi [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 7:45 pm

Steven Perez (silas216) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T16:33:55 In Memo… [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 8:33 pm

Debra said:

To the idiot that had to bring Obama into the beautiful Alaina Reed Hall’s death….
Take your sh–t to another site.
Is there anything in life you people encounter that you can’t blame Obama for.
Yeah, that’s what I thought.
Degenerate.

# 20 December 2009 at 11:40 pm

chrisyeh (chrisyeh) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T19:55:54 RT @jckiedncki: RIP Alaina Reed Hall, Olivia from Sesame Street. [link to post] [...]

# 20 December 2009 at 11:55 pm

Muppet Sightings (muppetsightings) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T20:34:20 RT @chrisyeh: RT @jckiedncki: RIP Alaina Reed Hall, Olivia from Sesame Street. [link to post] [...]

# 21 December 2009 at 12:34 am

crystaljordan (crystaljordan) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] RT @LeighEllwood: Didn't realize this til now, former Sesame Street actress died – [link to post]- [...]

# 21 December 2009 at 1:16 am

LeighEllwood (LeighEllwood) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-20T21:33:17 Didn't realize this til now, former Sesame Street actress died – [link to post] [...]

# 21 December 2009 at 1:33 am

don said:

Quiet your soul. God has you now.

# 21 December 2009 at 2:24 am

John said:

I had the pleasure of working with Alaina in the early 90’s. She was so talented and so much fun. I’ll always cherish those years of friendship. Although we lived on opposite coasts and didn’t see each other very much for the last 15 years, I’ll always remember her as a lovely person who was a great singer as well. She contributed to the entertainment world in every medium. No one has mentioned her contributions to cabaret in NY. In the early 70’s she was a cabaret “diva”! She will be greatly missed. RIP Alaina.

# 21 December 2009 at 11:49 am

KimberlyP (KimberlyP) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-21T09:11:14 Oh sadness. Alaina Reed Hall (Olivia from Sesame Street) died a few days ago. [link to post] [...]

# 21 December 2009 at 1:10 pm

Mr. LeToyaOnline (sirced) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-21T11:36:34 OH NAH! it's not officially confirmed but word is alaina reed hall (rose from 227) died due to breast cancer [link to post] [...]

# 21 December 2009 at 3:39 pm

laurenjulie (laurenjulie) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-21T11:36:34 RIP OLIVIA… RT @thembithembi: In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall – [link to post] [...]

# 21 December 2009 at 3:41 pm

Jake (N0N_3NT1TY) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-21T11:37:12 @demonbaby If it makes you feel any better 2009 claimed a Sesame Street actress recently too… [link to post] [...]

# 21 December 2009 at 3:42 pm

Thembi (thembithembi) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-21T11:37:12 Tweeps, I already wrote Alaina Reed Hall a tribute so thanks for the info but I already know she passed! [link to post] [...]

# 21 December 2009 at 3:43 pm

jalylah (sherealcool) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-21T11:37:12 RT @thembithembi: Tweeps, I already wrote Alaina Reed Hall a tribute… [link to post] [...]

# 21 December 2009 at 3:43 pm

kathleen adele (kathleenadele) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-21T11:37:12 RT @sherealcool: RT @thembithembi: Tweeps, I already wrote Alaina Reed Hall a tribute… [link to post] [...]

# 21 December 2009 at 3:44 pm

Valerie (bebe300zx) « In Memoriam: Alaina Reed Hall | What Would Thembi Do? « Chat Catcher said:

[...] 2009-12-21T11:37:12 I am amazed the only article I can find a Headlind bout #Alaina Reed Hall's death is "The Black Archives. [link to post] [...]

# 21 December 2009 at 3:45 pm

Justin said:

I am so saddened. I can’t tell you how much a part of my childhood and even early adulthood 227 played! And a big part of that was the sheer joy, vigor, life, and soul that Alaina brought to the show! She always had so much personality, not to mention a wonderfully soulful voice! My deepest sympathies are with her family and friends.

I put together a few pics of Alaina, set to her song “Don’t Let Me Fall in Love Alone” here:

Alaina Reed Hall Don’t Let Me Fall in Love Alone

# 21 December 2009 at 7:30 pm

Patrick Tubridy said:

So sad to hear of Ms. Reed’s passing. The world lost one of the greatest smiles this past week! I grew up watching Olivia on Sesame Street and then Rose on 227, and when I would see her on commercials or other shows, it would warm my heart!

I tend to disagree with some of the readers out there. The entertainment world is highly competitive so it is difficult to measure success. Undeniably, Ms. Reed was more than successful, even if in supporting roles. Some of the most important lessons I learned in childhood came from “Olivia”. Thank you Ms. Reed, you will be forever remembered in my heart! -Paddy Tubz

# 21 December 2009 at 8:53 pm

DaveS said:

So very saddened to hear about this. I will always remember her from Sesame Street. The world has lost a beautiful person and voice.

# 21 December 2009 at 10:53 pm

Bert C said:

Alaina will be truly missed. I met her when I was in HAIR and lived just a few blocks away on the Upper West Side. We stayed in touch and our friendship lasted. I moved to Los Angeles in late Sept.88 and one of the first people I had dinner with was Alaina, and Bob Garrett(Godspell) I got to know her second husband when I visited the set of 227. Even, when I moved back to St.Louis, we stayed in touch, until a couple of years ago. She was the best cook(got me to eat greens)and had some great parties in the 70’s.
Alaina and Richie loved to take home movies of people as they left their 106th Street apartment. Then would show those movies at the next party and people could see how funny they were “toreup” Very Funny.
A great light has gone out on the Enterrainment World. Love and miss you Tiny(Mom)

# 22 December 2009 at 3:27 am

Andrea said:

Just saw of her passing today, so sad to lose such a wonderful, beautiful person. Feel as though I grew up watching her, from Sesame Street to 227. Always portraying a strong elegant woman my condolences to her family and friends, thank you for sharing her with us!

# 22 December 2009 at 3:23 pm

Stacey_Virtuous said:

Her passing went under the radar and happy someone recognized/honored her! Thank you!!

# 23 December 2009 at 11:56 am

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# 26 December 2009 at 10:29 am

So what do you think? Please be respectful to other readers!

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THROWBACK POST!!

Police Sketches of Black Dudes

By Thembi Ford on September 26, 2007

Police sketch artist drawings of black people are notoriously poor and rarely look like anyone in particular. I’m convinced that when asked to describe the suspect, witnesses just describe the last black male they saw, even if they last saw a black male on television. So I did a little Thembi-style experiment by going online and digging up dozens of sketches of black suspects to see just who the strong arm of the law is looking for.

Posted in Not Racist Cuz It's True., Our Shame, What the Eff?, Yipes! | 22 Responses

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